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^God damn it! WHAT are you doing?! ^

Mulder whipped the blankets off his legs and sat up in the bed. Pulling on his robe he went to hunt down his ambitious lover...

"Good morning, Lisa." Alex looked up as Fox appeared in the doorway of their guest bedroom. Fox ran a hand through his bed head hair and glared at his lover who sat in the middle of the floor amid hammer, nails, and pieces of wood.

"WHAT in the hell are you doing?!" Fox folded his arms over his chest. Alex raised an eyebrow and pointed out Kat in the corner, 'helping' her papa by playing with assorted tools.

"I wanted to get started..." Alex turned and picked up his hammer.

"ON..." Fox asked impatiently.

"On the crib." Alex held up the railings that were almost put together. Fox felt his irritation at being woken up so rudely on a Sunday melt into a sappy puddle.

"Oh." He said quietly as he walked over to Alex and laid a hand on his shoulder. Alex looked up, smiling, little chips of wood in his hair. Mulder picked one out and then tweaked his nose. ^You know it's going to be months...We're not going to need it for quite a while. ^

^I know. I just wanted to do it now. And Kat wanted to help...we were talking and she's getting pretty excited about being a big sister. She wants to help us get ready. ^ Fox smiled at that and turned to watch their daughter. She was seriously contemplating the insides of their toolbox and rearranging the order of the tools.

"Well, my busy bees...how about we take a break for some breakfast?" Kat jumped up and ran to wash her hands. Fox pulled Alex to his feet, but didn't immediately let go, instead he held the captive hands up closer to his face. "You better be careful with those hands, buddy. I don't want you smacking your thumb with the hammer." Fox ran his fingertips over Alex's hands. The skin was still new and pink; they weren't yet callused, though from the feel of it Alex had been making an attempt to form some.

Alex just smiled and kissed Fox's hand earning a little mock-glare in return. "They're fine. How do YOU feel?"

"A little queasy, but I think it'll be fine once I eat something."

Alex frowned at that and tugged him towards the door, "Well, then...let's go eat."

They entered the kitchen; it was smaller than their old one, but not too bad. Alex grabbed the bread and popped them in the toaster. He then opened the fridge for the eggs.

Mulder filled the coffee machine with water and reached for the coffee.

"Decaf if you're drinking it, Fox." Alex didn't even look up from the stove. Mulder made a face and shoved the bag back, reaching for the small canister of decaf.

XXX

Jan 25 2005

"Scully." Her brisk tone left Mulder no doubt he'd interrupted her in the middle of work.

"Hey, Scully. How's work?"

"Mulder! Fine...boring." She sighed.

"No flukemen to autopsy? No vampires?"

Scully grinned a little, "Nope, not a one. Like I said...boring. What's up? Is anything wrong? How are Kat and Alex?"

"Nothing's wrong. They're both fine. They went out for a while...thought I'd catch up with you."

Scully sensed something wasn't being said. "How are 'you' doing?"

"I'm fine. Feeling...okay."

Scully knew he was going to keep her guessing, but played along. "Feeling...how?" She imitated.

"Feeling...kind of like I did when I first got back." Mulder couldn't fight off a grin now. He knew her little wheels would be turning in her head.

"Like you first...?" Scully frowned, and then a slow incredulity dawned on her. "Mulder? Are you trying to say...?"

"Yep! Bingo." Neither was going to say it over the phone.

There was a long silence. "Uh, Scully? You okay over there?"

"Uh...I-I, Mulder are you 'sure'?"

"Definitely."

Another long pause. Mulder was beginning to think this wasn't the best way to break it to her. "Scully?"

"I'm here, Mulder. I don't...don't know what to say." Another pause, then, "How?" she demanded.

"I think 'that's' a topic for another time. So, how were your holidays? How's your mom?"

Scully rolled her eyes at that. "Fine, Mulder. Just fine. Sounds like your holidays were more eventful than mine."

"Yes, they probably were." Mulder smiled.

XXX

St. Louis
Orthodox Easter 2004
6:55 p.m.

Mulder helped Mari and Anya clean the dishes from the Easter dinner. Kids darted in between the adults as they carried stacks of dishes to the kitchen. Last week had been what the Kryceks called "American Easter." But the orthodox religion calculated easter differently and so today the family had gotten together to celebrate at Mari's house.

"That was a great meal, Mari. You're a wonderful cook."

Mari beamed, she was quite proud of the meal she had cooked for the holiday. "Yes, I noticed you had quite an appetite. Three helpings! I'm glad to see you're no longer a rail."

Mulder felt his ears burn; he was beginning to show. Much as he and Alex discussed it, they still hadn't decided what to say about the pregnancy, so they remained silent.

"Uh, yes. You're food is just too good. Excuse me." He stepped back out of the kitchen to pick up some more plates. He saw Alex still talking with his brother in the next room. Nikolai had seemed extra moody today and had pulled Alex aside after the meal to talk. As he watched, Fox saw the conversation take a heated turn, Nikolai glanced up and noticed his observation and pulled on Alex's sleeve for him to follow him into the next room.

"No. What is your problem, Nick? This is Easter; I don't want-" Alex jerked his arm out of his older brother's grasp, refusing to go with the man. Nikolai flushed a furious red.

"You WILL come with me, Alexei. Are you forgetting who I am?" Nikolai reached to grab Alex again.

Without thinking, Mulder rushed into the hallway and put himself in between the two men. Nikolai had grasped Alex's elbow again and as Mulder came between them, he was jostled off of his feet and into Nikolai.

The three men crashed into the wall of the hallway, struggling to regain their balance. As they did so, Nikolai brushed against Fox's stomach as the child moved. Nikolai froze and stared at the bulge between them. He then slowly raised his eyes to stare in horror at Mulder.

Alex grimaced and grabbed Fox's elbows, helping him regain his balance and pulling him away from his brother. Several people rushed into the hallway at the noise, but Alex waved them away. "It's okay, Fox tripped on the rug and bumped into Nick." Mari frowned at this, but guided the others into the living room.

Nikolai was still leaning against the wall in shock. He was staring at Mulder's stomach. "Eh-ta vahz-mozh-na?" He whispered, stunned.

Alex's eyes darkened and Mulder glanced at both of them worriedly. "Nikolai, I think we should go to your study, after all." Alex gestured for his brother to lead the way. Nikolai pushed away from the wall and led them to his office.

Alex closed the door behind them and turned the lock as Nikolai grabbed some glasses and a bottle of liquor from a small cabinet. He poured a glass and moved to pour some in the other two glasses.

"No, thank you, Nick. I'd rather not and Mulder shouldn't." Nikolai darted a look at Fox, but set the bottle down, moving to sit in one of two leather chairs in the room. Alex motioned for Fox to sit in the other one, he remained standing behind the chair, glaring at his brother.

A strained silence remained between the two brothers, neither wanting to cave first and speak. Exasperated, Mulder finally spoke up. "How about one of you tell me what you two have been arguing about?"

Nikolai shifted his gaze from his brother's accusing eyes to Fox's. "What do you mean?"

"Can it, Nick. You two seemed all right for a while, but the last two years you've been watching us suspiciously and pulling Alex aside for a lecture every time we meet. What's bothering you?"

Nikolai flicked his eyes down to Mulder's stomach and back again. "I don't know-"

Alex moved around to Mulder's right side, "Cut the bullshit, Nikolai, Fox is right, why all the lectures on taking care of my family and always asking me about our personal lives? About Kat? About my past?"

Nikolai slammed down his glass. "Do you think I don't know?! Do you think I don't know about the men? The men that made you work for them? Why you went away so quickly? Never contacted your family?"

Alex pulled a chair out from Nikolai's desk and sat next to Mulder. Very quietly he asked, "What do you think you know?"

"What do I 'think' I know? Don't patronize ME, 'Lexei. I raised you from a small boy. And they wanted me to work for them, too. I refused. But YOU. You are 'still' working for them."

Mulder glanced at Alex, his lover's face was very still, but his eyes gleamed dangerously. "You couldn't refuse them. You did it or you were eliminated. You're lying."

Nikolai glared back, the tension and anger between the two men was palpable and made Fox shift in his seat involuntarily. As he did, he could also feel the restless surge and roll of the child inside him. Kat had been an active baby, but this one was proving even more active. He finally began to rub his belly gently, trying to soothe it.

Nikolai noticed. "I am not. I told them to go to hell. Our parents were fools to be involved with them. I was struggling to hold onto two jobs taking care of my little brother and two sisters. I could have used the money they offered me, but I refused it. What is 'your' excuse?"

Alex leaned forward, ready to do battle. Mulder held out his free hand. "Wait. Let's discuss that later. Right now I want to know why you said you think Alex is still working for 'them'."

Nikolai seemed triumphant as he pointed a finger at Mulder's belly where a hand still rubbed it. "That! You are carrying a child. And Kat. She is the work of those men. They tried to get me to work on one of their 'projects' many times. They were doing something to fetal tissue. I saw enough to know they were doing experiments on children and unnatural ways in gestating."

Alex stood again. "Now I know you are lying. The only way you would know anything about those experiments is if you were working for them very closely. Just how long DID you work for them, Nick?"

Nikolai stood, too. The two seemed about to fight, Fox found it difficult to rise from the laid back chair. Luckily for him, someone knocked, loudly, on the locked door. "Nikolai, let me in." Mari sounded serious.

Alex and Nikolai had frozen in place, fists clenched. Mulder stopped struggling and leaned back as Nikolai finally brushed past his brother and unlocked the door. "What is it, Mari? We were talking..."

Mari pushed past him and closed the door behind her. "Yes, I know. And I also know you will get nowhere if I leave you alone in here. I saw off our guests, Katerina is spending the night here, Natasha is watching her upstairs." She sat down where Nikolai had been glared at Nikolai until he moved to stand next to her.

"Alex, sit. We have much to discuss. Fox, are you feeling all right?" Mari's eyes were warmer when she spoke to Mulder.

"Yes, I'm fine." Mulder glanced at Alex, but his lover was too busy glaring at his brother.

"Good. Now, I gather the three of you were discussing 'business,' am I right?"

Mulder glanced at the other two men, they were in the middle of a staring contest so he decided to take over. "Yes. What do you know about this... 'business?'"

"I was involved. For several years. That's how Nikolai and I met. I worked for one of their projects. I was supposed to 'convince' Nick to join our cause." Mari smiled at Alex's sudden reaction, he jerked his eyes to stare at his sister-in-law.

"What? What happened?" Alex was stunned, Mulder just nodded, it made sense.

"So you two did some work together?" Mulder asked, Mari nodded and ignored her husband and brother-in-law for Mulder.

"Yes. We worked on one of the cloning experiments. I was not a doctor or scientist, though. My talents were more...in communications. I'd rather not discuss it now. Suffice to say that I was not happy with my work and Nikolai was a young doctor, so dashing and handsome, so against what they had us doing." She smiled and glanced up at her husband, reaching for one of his hands. Alex just stared.

"So...anyway. I got us out. I negotiated and won us freedom from their...'interference' in exchange for my silence and occasional use of my skills. I guess they decided not to chance working with me again, because I never heard from them since. We were lucky. And we've been silent about our involvement until now in order to 'remain' lucky."

She glanced back up at her husband, her face conveying her disappointment in him for breaking their vow.

She glanced back at Mulder once more. "But. I suppose we can trust you two not to spread this around. So, are you really pregnant, Fox?" Her intelligent eyes were piercing.

Mulder tensed, but felt Alex's grip on his arm. "Mari, this silent pact will go both ways." Alex glared meaningfully.

Mari laughed, Mulder felt a little uneasy. He had underestimated this woman. She was excellent in hiding her true colors.

^Oh, don't worry, Fox. I like you, both of you. Alex is my brother- in-law...and so are you. I would never let anyone harm you. Actually, I've been quite worried for both of you. And you? I underestimated you, too. I should have known what was up much sooner, but you are pretty good at shielding. ^

Mulder raised an eyebrow. ^You, too. ^

Neither brother heard the exchange they were watching their respective spouses closely, both suspected a telepathic exchange, but had no way of knowing for certain.

"I'm waiting for an answer, Fox. We won't speak of this to the family if you don't want to. But I think you will find the Krycek siblings to be fairly open minded at such things. It is a family business, after all..."

Mulder swallowed, but decided the cat was well out of the bag. "Yes. I am pregnant. And Kat is our daughter as well. In blood as well as spirit."

Mari reached out and grabbed both Mulder's and Alex's hands. "Oh, I'm so happy for both of you. How did it happen? Was it really consortium experiments? I wouldn't think they would be so advanced even after all these years."

Mulder realized that she didn't know as much of the consortium's business as she thought she did.

They spent the next couple of hours sharing information. Nikolai eventually sat down on the arm of Mari's chair. Mari and Nikolai were stunned, but open at the explanations of alien invasions and morphing and how Mulder and Alex had come to be together on a rebel alien's ship.

They had explained Kat's conception and birth, but hadn't told of the current pregnancy.

"But how are you pregnant again, Fox? Did the oilean or morph...?" Mari laid a sympathetic hand on Mulder's arm.

"Um, no. Actually, I'd rather not discuss it. It is now possible for us to have children without intervention. That's all I will say." Mulder shut his mouth firmly and Alex nodded.

Nikolai had been quiet through most of the discussion, but his face had changed from stony malice to a more neutral expression. He rose, "What about your doctor, Mulder? You said your former partner and another doctor helped you and monitored your pregnancy. Have you done the same for this one?"

Fox blushed; he hated the thought that they knew so much about such a private and personal subject. "Uh, no, actually. Scully did examine me briefly shortly after the...after I found out I was pregnant, but she's been far too busy to visit lately. She is planning to come as soon as possible and do some tests."

Nikolai shook his head, "That's unacceptable. You should be closely monitored. Even if you 'were' extraordinarily lucky with Katerina...there is so much that could go wrong in even a normal pregnancy. This is far from normal. My specialty may have changed from when I started out, but I am competent in the field."

Mulder opened his mouth to protest. Mari pounced, "Yes. You must be examined, Alex I am surprised at you! Why haven't you taken better care of Fox? No doctors...tsk."

They all stood, Mulder still trying to protest, but this time Alex interrupted, "I think this has been a bit much to take in. I think we should get some rest and think about things. Excuse me, but as you two so often like to point out, I need to take care of my family. Come on, Fox." He started out the door, his hand on Mulder's elbow.

Much as he hated being ordered about and treated like a child, Mulder went gratefully, wanting to get out of the room too desperately to complain.

Mari and Nikolai protested, but finally gave in as they collected Kat and left the house.

"All right. We'll see you soon, though. Bye, Kat! Happy Easter!"

They drove away, Alex gripping the wheel tightly. Kat closed her eyes and dozed in the back of the car. It was raining and the 'thwack, thwack' of the windshield wipers would have hypnotized Mulder, too if he hadn't been so nervous and upset.

^Were we right to tell them? ^

Alex glanced at him and then back at the road, ^Well, it's a little late NOW. But, yes...I don't think they would do anything to harm us. Or else I would have gotten us out immediately. The consortium is dead. There may be pockets, but they are not the threat they once were. And I never heard of my brother or Mari's involvement. They were likely telling the truth and were 'out' of it for years before I was recruited. ^

Mulder nodded, ^I didn't sense any ill will from them. Mari's good at blocking, but I'm better. Now that I knew to look, I searched her mind thoroughly. She wasn't even aware of it. Her ability is limited and naturally occurring. She isn't a hybrid. She's a lot smarter and more devious than I would have thought, but she loves your brother and you and the whole family. She's happy and does want to help us. But still...I hate having more people know about this. And I don't want them knowing any MORE. I don't want your brother examining me, Alex. ^

^Of course not, Fox. I understand. But we have to get Scully down here for a visit. It's been far too long. She barely examined you in February. Just checked your bp and a brief examination of your belly. She said she wanted to examine you more fully and do another sonogram and she hasn't yet. ^

^I know. She feels bad, she's been so busy... ^

^Fuck that! When we get home I'm getting Skinner on the line and he is going to get his ass in gear about getting her time off. ^

They pulled up to their apartment. Mulder held the umbrella as Alex scooped Kat up in his arms and they went inside.

Laying down their daughter in her warm bed they tucked her in and took turns kissing her on the forehead. They turned out the light and closed her door most of the way. Kisa jumped up on her bed and kneaded the blankets, purring.

Mulder decided to take a shower while Alex checked the house again before turning in for the night. He'd hoped Alex would join him afterwards, but there was no sign so he finally rinsed off and dried himself. Walking into the bedroom he heard Alex on the phone, obviously talking to Skinner.

"Don't give me that, you know that it is important for Scully to come here. Just make it happen... No I don't have any knowledge about that... You believe what you want to, Skinner. You want to ask Fox? Go ahead."

Alex held the phone up, his eyes revealing nothing, the link closed. Mulder took the phone and sat down on the edge of the bed in his robe.

"Mulder, what do you know of the recent disappearance and death of Chris Jacobson?" Skinner's voice was low and deadly serious.

"Nothing. When did this happen?" Mulder glanced up at his lover, Alex was picking up the towel Mulder had tossed on the floor, avoiding his gaze.

Skinner ignored his question, "Do you know the whereabouts of Alex Krycek from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. today?"

Mulder rolled his eyes, "Yes. He was with Kat and I all morning and afternoon. We went to his brother's house around 4:30. He was with in plain sight of his family the whole time..."

Skinner cleared his throat, "I'll tell Agent Scully that she has three days of leave effective tomorrow." He hung up.

Mulder hung the phone up and went into the bathroom, Alex was brushing his teeth. Fox folded his arms and leaned against the doorway. "Well?"

"Weh, whahh?" Alex kept brushing.

"You know very well... How did you do it?"

Alex spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. "If you are referring to the alleged crime that Skinner so sweetly asked me about, then I have to say that I 'didn't' do anything..." Alex wiped his mouth on the hand towel and turned a completely innocent face to his lover.

It was wasted. "It's obvious you did it. I just didn't know you still had connections to have this sort of thing done. I thought you were past that." Mulder shifted, letting Alex past him.

They went back to the bedroom. "I have no idea what you're talking about Mulder. But I will tell you one thing...never assume I'm past anything where my family is concerned. And that is all I'm saying on the subject." Alex climbed into bed and turned out his bedside lamp.

Mulder climbed in after a moment's hesitation. He hated the thought of what Alex had obviously arranged done. But he'd known the kind of man he'd gotten involved with. And when he thought of what home life must have been like for 'Mrs.' Jacobson and their children... He had a hard time being too upset.

They lay on opposite sides of the bed for several moments. Finally, Alex sighed and moved closer, putting his head on Fox's shoulder and moving a hand down to his belly. "I couldn't let him endanger another child of mine..."

Fox put his own hand on top of his and they lay awake a long time.

XXX

Eh-ta vahz-mozh-na? Translation: "Is it possible?"

Blood.

Blood drips off the cold metal table to join a large pool beneath it. Blood slickens my fingers as they struggle with an unfamiliar metal clasp.

Dark red blood contrasts with cold gray skin. The eyes are open, devoid of feeling or consciousness.

Hazel eyes stare up at me unblinking as I scream.

XXX

Alex woke with a cry. Wrenching his body away from an unidentifiable restraint he leaped to the floor, squatting into a defensive crouch, stiletto in hand.

"Alex?! Are you all right?!" Mulder sat in the bed, covers pooled in his lap, his chest bare. Alex's eyes darted around the room, seeking what had woken him in full-blown panic.

Mulder slowly, cautiously slid out from under the covers and stood by the bed. He was completely naked, testimony to their earlier activities before falling asleep.

Alex remained crouched, his chest heaving and heart pounding, eyes flickering over the walls, under the bed and back to the closed door, over and over.

Mulder walked over to his lover, hands out and open until he reached his lover, then crouched next to him. "What is it?" He asked softly.

"I don't- I don't know. I, something woke me. I'm not sure..." Alex bit out, unable to identify the threat he was so sure of moments ago.

"I don't hear anything and I don't sense anything. How about we get off the floor?" Mulder helped Alex rise, arms wrapped around the trembling younger man.

"Don't talk to me like that. I'm not crazy, something was wrong..." Alex pulled away from Fox's embrace and pulled on a pair of sweatpants.

"I'm not saying you 'are' crazy. I just think it might have been a nightmare. You were sleeping a moment ago and then you started to thrash and then sprang out of the bed."

Alex frowned and ran a hand through his sweat soaked locks. "Weren't you sleeping?"

"No. I was checking on Kat and when I came in you were tossing and turning, I tried to soothe you and you flew out of the bed."

"Did I hurt you?" Alex sat back down on the bed, eyes flicking up and down Fox's body. His lover's belly was larger and rounder every time he looked; Mulder seemed to be progressing awfully fast. He reached a hand out and touched Fox's belly, feeling an answering movement within.

"No. You just pushed me aside and jumped out of bed, I'm fine. Do you remember the dream?"

"No. Just panic and fear. I thought something was wrong..." Alex shuddered and Fox reached out and embraced him again, this time Alex returned it gratefully.

Pulling back, Alex took a deep breath and pushed the incident aside, feeling foolish. "So, why were you checking on Kat? Did she call?"

"No, I was just passing by and checked up on her..." Mulder looked sheepish.

"Oh?" Alex glanced at the bedside table; a partially eaten sandwich lay there on a plate. "Oh...midnight refrigerator raid, Lisa?"

Fox chuckled, "Caught me red handed. Jr. woke me up for a feeding. Want some?" He picked up the plate and held it out.

Alex's nose wrinkled in distaste, "WHAT is that?" It smelled fishy, but odd.

"Tuna fish sandwich...with peanut butter." Fox took a big bite. "Mmmmm..."

"Mulder, you are in danger of becoming a walking stereotype. What is with the weird cravings lately? You weren't like this with Kat."

Mulder licked the corner of his mouth. "I don't know...maybe I need more protein. Scully said that cravings were indications of something my body lacked. Both tuna and peanut butter are full of protein. I don't know, really. They just sounded good. Both of them. I couldn't choose." He took another bite.

The wrinkle above Alex's nose was still in evidence as he watched his lover eat the disgusting sandwich. Fox loved that little wrinkle, it was so cute. He leaned in for a kiss.

"Yuck! Not without brushing your teeth, Lisa! Honestly!" Alex leaned out of range.

Fox pouted but took another bite.

XXX

Scully arrived on the first morning flight. Mulder grabbed her carryon bag only to have Alex grab it from him in return. He frowned and then gave Scully a big hug.

"Scully! You have to tell Alex to quit being such a mother hen. How was your flight?"

Scully smiled, tiredly. "Okay. I'm starved, how about we grab some breakfast? All I've had is a bag of pretzels."

After they treated her to breakfast at a nearby diner, they drove her to their apartment. Kat was visiting relatives so they could have a private discussion.

Scully sat down on the sofa with Mulder while Alex sat in a wingback chair nearby. Now that they were out of public view Scully held out a hand near Mulder's belly.

"May I?"

Mulder smiled slightly and nodded. Scully pressed her hand on his rounded stomach and smiled at the movement within. She then turned a critical eye at him. "You're bigger than I expected, Mulder. Have you noticed an increased appetite than you did with Kat?"

Alex answered for him, "Yes, he's eating more and he has strange cravings. With Kat he just wanted his favorite foods more often. But this time he's been eating tuna and peanut butter sandwiches and wanting anchovies and pineapple on pizza. I keep expecting him to ask for pickles and ice cream."

Mulder glared at his chortling lover. "Thanks 'ever' so much, lover. I'll be sure to remember that later..."

Alex stopped laughing, though he still grinned, "Sorry, Lisa. If our positions were reversed I 'know' you'd be teasing me worse, admit it."

Fox smiled, "Well, of course I would. Anyway, Scully, yes I do seem hungrier. And I've been craving steaks lately."

Scully nodded, "Sounds like you may need additional vitamins, but I wouldn't worry. We'll assess your blood results and figure it out. How are you feeling otherwise?"

"Fine. Happy, actually. I know it sounds weird, but it feels more...'natural' this time." Mulder shrugged, but leaned back with a smile on his face, his hand on his belly.

Scully smiled sadly. "Well, that's good, Mulder. I'm happy for you, both of you. But, I want to know more about how we're going to handle your tests this time. You said that Alex's brother had access to all the equipment and tests we need as well as privacy. I want to know if you're completely sure we can trust him." She flicked an apologetic glance at Alex, but focused on Mulder's face.

"I've scanned Nikolai and all of the Krycek family now. They have varying levels of knowledge about the consortium in general and very limited knowledge of their experiments. I believe that Nikolai and Mari honestly want to help us and we can trust them. But I also think we shouldn't involve them too much. You're still the only one I trust to examine the baby and me, Scully. They are just there to observe and help. Okay?"

Scully's eyes warmed, she knew Mulder trusted her most of all. She would NEVER betray that trust. It went both ways, too. She knew that she could trust him completely and he'd always be there for her.

^Of course, Scully. I love you. You're the best friend and partner I could have ever wished have for. ^ She smiled, surprised, she never failed to be a little startled to 'hear' his voice in her head.

She repressed and avoided any thoughts that sprung from her mind at what he'd communicated to her, though. She loved him, too. And no matter how much she valued their friendship, she'd never stop wishing it could have been more.

Alex stood and sat next to Fox, putting an arm around him and holding a hand out to Scully. "That goes for both of us, Scully. You're the only one we could trust with this. You're a part of our family."

Scully nodded and blinked back tears. "Well, since you said we'd be going at night, I guess I'd like to get some rest. I'm a little tired." Alex nodded understandingly, "Of course. We put you in the extra room, there's still a bed in there, but it's a little crowded with the crib..."

Scully stepped into the room. A large, well-built crib took up a good deal of space along with the supplies being stored there. They seemed to be nearly ready for the birth even though it was a still about a little over three months away.

They left her alone and she lay down on the bed. She stared at the crib and clothes and toys lying inside it. She felt the tears she'd been holding back finally slip past her control. 'God, if only I hadn't lost the baby... What would he or she have been like?' She turned to face the wall and tried to sleep.

XXX

Alex was wearing a hole in the rug. He paced back and forth in front of the door they were waiting for Nikolai to come and open. Scully leaned against a wall with her arms folded in front of her as she watched with amusement. The typical father-to-be behavior in Krycek was rather endearing to see.

Mulder, on the other hand, looked anything but an expectant mother. He was popping sunflower seeds rapidly as he flipped through a sports magazine while sitting in a chair in the lobby. She pushed away from the wall and sat down next to him. He offered her his bag of seeds, which she shook her head to. She never could understand the fixation.

The elevator chimed and an older version of Alex stepped out wearing a dark gray suit and trench coat.

"Where in the hell have you been, Nikolai? We've been waiting." Alex growled at his brother who gave him an icy glare in return.

"I'm here now. Shall we?" Nikolai let them into the doctor's office through a series of rooms. Scully began to consult with the elder Krycek while Alex cased the rooms, checking for traps and possible escape roots. Mulder burped and Alex handed him a saltine from his jacket pocket. "When will you learn to stop eating those things?"

"It's not the seeds, it's the kid. Makes my stomach churn half the night..." Alex just shook his head and gestured for his lover to enter the exam room.

Never a happy camper around doctors or exam tables, Mulder's face was blank expressionless as he lay down on the table as ordered.

Alex sat next to him and put a hand on the older man's arm. The muscles were knotted and stiff so he gently rubbed it and tried to distract him from the surroundings.

"You know, Fox, if we find out the sex this time we can tell Kat if she's getting a brother or sister."

Mulder nodded distantly, eyes fixed on Alex's leather jacket. As long as he focused there, he wouldn't see the metal tray with gleaming objects or the bright light overhead.

Alex tugged on his arm as he said something, Mulder let his eyes drift up to the green eyes focused on him. "What?"

"I said: we haven't really discussed names yet. I like Michael for a boy and maybe Tatiana for a girl. What do you think?"

Nikolai dropped something and the clatter of metal on metal made Mulder tense, but he kept his eyes focused on Alex's eyes. "I like both of those. Very much. When did you come up with those?"

"I don't know...just names I've always liked. We'll have to come up with a middle name, too..." Alex prattled on as Scully and Nikolai finally set things up. They took blood and checked his heart and had him sit up and breathe while listening to the stethoscope, and checked his blood pressure, all the usual things. When Scully put her stethoscope on his belly, she raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Mulder was gripping Alex's hand so hard he thought he'd be one handed again.

"Not sure, yet, Mulder. Relax. We still have the sonogram. Lay down again." Mulder gave her a glare and lay down, hand still clutching his lover's.

Alex winced. ^Lisa, I kind of like that hand. You could almost say I'm attached to it, please relax...^

Mulder laughed, a high-pitched nervous laugh as he let go of Alex's hand. "Sorry."

"I didn't say let go..." but he switched hands so Mulder held the left one. Their grip was much looser, but Fox's hand twitched every time someone touched him.

Finally, Scully spread the goo on his stomach again as Nikolai watched with rapt interest on the monitor. Scully kept up a running commentary to keep them both at ease and informed.

"...Well...I think I know why you've been hungrier and feeling more symptoms this time around Mulder..."

When she trailed off Mulder jerked his head away from the monitor he couldn't read anyway and onto his partner's face. "Well?!" he said testily. His patience was shot to hell.

"Well...you're pregnant..."

"I 'know' that, Scully-"

"...with twins." She finished with great relish.

Alex's eyes bulged out and stared at the screen full of moving blobs that didn't look like babies to 'him'. "What?"

Mulder was silent, mouth agape.

Scully grinned broadly; anything that could make Mulder speechless was a damned miracle at any event. "Twins. See?" She spent the next fifteen minutes pointing them out.

"Never mind...just trust me. Twins."

Nikolai darted a look at his brother and the man on the table. This kind of an event was too important to medical science to keep quiet.

Mulder was far too distracted to notice the thought, which Nikolai wisely forced out of his mind as soon as he thought it. Alex just stared thunderstruck.

Recovering, Mulder finally asked, "Can you tell the sex? Are they fraternal?"

Scully was still smiling as she scrutinized the screen. "Well...from the thin membrane between the two amniotic sacks and one placenta...and I can see that...they are both male. They are likely identical twins. Boys."

Mulder leaned back again, but could feel a big smile breaking out on his face. Identical twins... 'oh, shit, twins...' The thought immediately followed the joy. Two babies. Twice the pain in delivery, twice the weight gained, twice the amount of diapers to change... It was overwhelming.

Alex was still staring at the monitor.

"Alex? Are you okay?" Scully asked.

"Uh...yeah. Twins? Boys?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

"Maybe you two would like a minute alone." Scully gestured for Nikolai to follow her out the door.

Alone, Mulder shook his head and then looked at Alex. His lover still stared at the monitor in disbelief.

"Earth to Alex...come on, it's not 'that' big of a shock. I've been eating like a pig."

Alex blinked and finally tore his eyes off the monitor. "The hell it isn't a big shock. Twins."

XXX

Scully let them listen to the heartbeats and printed out a copy of the sonogram picture. Nikolai locked up after them and left, heading home to tell Mari the news. Alex warned his brother again of the importance in keeping it a secrete outside immediate family.

As Alex drove them home, Scully watched as Mulder put a hand on Alex's knee. She saw the younger man glance over and smile, putting his own hand on top of Mulder's. It was such a sweet little gesture that she found herself blinking back sudden tears and turning her head to stare blindly out the window.

The windshield wipers made their rhythmic thwapping sound as she focused on the raindrops streaking down her window. It was cold and dark outside, but warm and close inside the car.

Pulling into their parking space, Scully was slow in opening her door. Mulder gave her a questioning look, but she just shook her head. "I'm a little tired. I think I'll head to bed early."

Mulder put his hand at the small of her back as he had so many times during their partnership. He led her around the car onto the sidewalk. "They're working you too hard. You should talk to Skinner. We'll have to make sure you get a nice relaxing vacation for now."

She smiled and nodded. Slipping out of his loose embrace by sidestepping an imaginary puddle. She trailed behind a little, watching as Alex stepped a little closer to Mulder and they unconsciously reached out and held hands as they walked to the door.

Entering their apartment, Kat came running out into the living room wearing her p.j.'s. She hugged both fathers before noticing Scully and giving her a big hug as well. Natasha appeared from the kitchen and grabbed her purse. Alex gave her a hug and thanks plus a rather extortionate amount of babysitting wages.

"Thanks, Uncle Al! Bye, Uncle Fox, Miss Scully..." She left in a flurry that only teenagers can manage and left three adults and a small child in her wake.

They put Katerina to bed finally with promises of a trip to the zoo the next day if it didn't rain. Scully had the privilege of helping her brush her teeth and reading her a story while Mulder and Alex made some drinks and a snack.

When she finished she wandered into the kitchen where she could hear the two men laughing and chatting.

"...Humpty and Dumpty?"

A snort, "Mul-der" in a warning tone.

"Bert and Ernie? Twin One and Twin Two? No, wait, Jim and Spock... yeah, let me name one Spock, pleeeaase?" Mulder wheedled.

She poked her head in to see Alex red faced and chuckling, "Fox, if I won't let you name the cat Spock, what makes you think I'll let you name my son that?"

"Oh, 'your' son is it? Remember that when it's diaper time, huh? And what about Jim? James T. Mulder. It has a ring to it..." Mulder's back was to her, but she saw Alex roll his eyes and wave him off.

"Enough, enough...I thought you liked Michael for a boy."

"I do, but what about the second one?"

"Definitely no Star Trek names. I'm putting my foot down." Alex said firmly, giving Mulder a serious look. He was obviously disturbed at the very teasing of the name Spock in reference to the unnamed babies. Scully decided to stay hidden and listen to their banter. She could use a little humor.

"Oooh, Alex. I love it when you act all tough." Fox laughed. "All right, all right...how about Ivan? I like the name for some reason, the Russian version of John."

Alex smiled, his face relaxing at the name with no Star Trek attachments, "I like it. I thought we could call Michael, Misha for short. What about middle names?" He grabbed a bowl for the popcorn popping in their microwave.

Mulder turned, leaning against the counter, Scully began to feel guilty in eavesdropping, but didn't want to creep away or interrupt.

"Well...I was thinking Ivan Daniel." Alex glanced up at him, "Daniel?"

"Yeah. For Scully...Dana." Alex nodded, "I like that. Ivan Daniel. What about Misha?"

"That's easy, Michael Alexander." Mulder then leaned over and kissed his surprised lover. Scully decided she was now 'definitely' intruding and backed away as softly as possible.

She sat on a couch waiting for them to join her. She was blushing slightly when they finally came in. ^Give it up, Scully...you can't sneak up on me, anymore.^ She felt her cheeks flame hotter.

"So what do you think, Scully? Ivan Daniel and Michael Alexander." Mulder just smiled and waited, she noticed Alex seemed fully aware of her eavesdropping, too, but wasn't concerned.

"That sounds wonderful." She said quietly.

"Is it all right if we use Daniel for your namesake? I'd also like it if you were godmother to them, too."

Scully gaped at him, "Godmother?"

Alex chuckled, "Yep, Fox may be a heathen, but I want the kids baptized in my church. And 'we' want you to be godmother. If you're willing?"

She finally lost the battle over the tears she'd been holding back all night. Feeling them run down her cheeks she grabbed Alex's hand and put her other on Fox's belly. Feeling a few sound thumps in response she smiled, "Of course. I'd be honored."

XXX

Alex lay in bed listening to Mulder snore softly next to him. His hand lay on the pregnant swell of his lover's stomach. He couldn't believe they had two sons...identical twins waiting to be born. His mind churned as he thought of all the additional supplies and space they'd need. The apartment was big enough for three and an occasional guest. Even big enough for four and a guest. But five? Three children? In an apartment?

No. They should have a house and a lawn for the kids to play in. And much as he loved the city, it wasn't really safe enough for his own liking. What he really wanted was to go back to their house in North Carolina. He'd hated having to flee like that because of the police and hospital officials. It was 'his' house and he'd live there without fear, damn it.

And Skinner had sworn the town was clean now. Federal investigations had cleared out the conspirators and the town's sheriff had issued a formal apology to Alex and his family as well as a welcome to come back at any time.

Well, it appeared 'now' would be a good time.

His thoughts were interrupted as Mulder snorted and mumbled something unintelligible as he shifted, turning on his side away from Alex. Spooning up behind him, Alex draped his arm over his lover's side, kissing the back of his neck. Life was damned good. Whoever would have thought that he'd have Mulder in his bed and children with him besides?

Life with Mulder was never boring, 'that' was for damn sure, but it more than made up for it in its rewards. He just had to stay on his toes and be ready for anything.

As for the aliens...they'd left them alone for a while. But god only knew when they'd be back.

As time passed and the colonists failed to share their research or make any gainful success, the hunters grew restless. Their own scientists should have the hybrids in their hands, not a race that only sought to make their race slaves. The hunters quietly contacted the rebels and began negotiations.

In the end, the hunters joined forces with the resistance. United, the morph race crushed the colonists ruthlessly. With the hunters' knowledge and access, the colonists were destroyed from both within and without as morph ships pounded theirs ruthlessly when their defenses were sabotaged.

All colonist bases and occupied worlds were destroyed. Save one. Earth. Small pockets of colonists remained along with the black oil. The morph race was assured victory if they destroyed Earth as they had all other colonist holdings. Only one thing stopped them: the hybrids.

The morph race had long denied the possibility of hybridization. To corrupt their race was unthinkable...until now. Politics had changed on the morph home world. The hunters had returned to their world and argued that the only viable option was hybridization. There had been no advancement in their fertility experiments and time was running out. This was the only way to save some part of their race.

The morph scientists reviewed their data on the 1013 hybrid while the hunters brought forth the many hybrids resulting from the recent colonist experiments. The new hybrids showed varying rates of developments, but none were yet proven fertile. To broaden their base for experimentation they needed more compatible humans. And they needed hybrid 1013. He was the most advanced and potentially successful hybrid known.

An expedition vessel was approved to gather the necessary specimens from Earth. The decision was made by the current leading government, but it had little support. Many parties were quite vocal in their protests and the morph public in general was divided on the issue of possible hybridization.

Three hunters, a small team of scientists and a security force manned a morph vessel to capture hybrid 1013 and a selection of humans. Upon disembarking, the leader of the political party against hybridization spoke to the captain of the vessel, Hunter 44269.

^The majority of morph citizens are unaware of this experiment and your party is still in the minority of our government. Your mission may have been authorized, but should it fail, there will be no further research in this manner. You and all byproducts of the experiment will be terminated and Earth will be destroyed.^

Hunter 44269 nodded curtly, ^My crew and I are aware of that. We are prepared to sacrifice our lives in this attempt. It is the last hope of our species. You and your party are narrow-minded fools to deny our race any possible means to survive. If you had your way, our race would slowly die and the colonists would win. I intend to do everything in my power to complete my mission and give forth a new generation of morphs.^

At that, Hunter 44269 sealed the spacecraft's door and left his home world, possibly for the last time.

XXX

Hunter 44269 prowled the bridge of his ship. The ship was not of the newest design, he'd been given a castoff of the current military/science vessels, a symbol of his party's current status. They would have only one shot at proving themselves, they would have to be ruthless.

^We have arrived at coordinates 41879 mark 4.5. Awaiting further commands.^

^Acknowledged. Initiating agent recall.^

A signal heard only by few inhabitants of Earth sounded.

XXX

Alex unpacked the last of their boxes with a weary sigh. They were almost finished moving into their new house. After the sonogram it had been clear to the two of them that they needed to move. Parting from Krycek's family had been difficult but necessary. Nikolai had proved himself to be less than trustworthy. Alex cursed himself for trusting his older brother. Nikolai had long been jealous of his younger brother and the promise of medical acclaim had wooed his brother into writing a paper and contacting the authorities on Mulder's condition. Luckily, they'd dodged the issue, stolen all evidence and skipped town. Without proof Nikolai had been ridiculed and his career ruined.

It had been difficult, but the break was necessary, the family had become too interested in their unique situation and as much as Alex loved his sisters and nieces and nephews, it was better to maintain a discrete distance.

So there they were, living in an isolated Victorian, just the three of them...and two little ones on the way. Kat was adjusting fairly well. Although she missed the Kryceks somewhat, she enjoyed the house and large backyard even more. Kat was a bit of a loner. Much like Mulder had been as a child. Not that she didn't talk and play with them a great deal, it was just that she was perfectly content without many playmates. She was extremely imaginative, capable of entertaining herself for hours alone in her room. She made up stories, played games and read to her dolls and her cat, Kisa.

Sasha had turned up missing during the move, but Alex had no doubt he'd turn up. He was a resourceful little mouse. Unpacking a large box, Alex found the quilts he'd been looking for. Grabbing one he headed into the living room. Mulder lay napping on the couch, a hand on the large swell of his stomach. He was snoring gently as his fingers and eyelids twitched. Smiling, Alex spread the quilt on him and carefully plucked the eyeglasses off the perch of Mulder's nose. Mulder had fallen asleep reading, his book fallen to the side. When he'd put the glasses on earlier, Alex had looked up from his work and felt a flare of lust. There was nothing so cute as Mulder in his reading glasses.

Thinking back to the moment, Alex grinned at the startled look Mulder had given him when he'd suddenly pounced on him. Well, not pounced 'on' him, due to his belly, but he'd suddenly plopped down on the couch next to him and proceeded to kiss him...thoroughly.

Finally letting him up for a breath of air, Alex had been watching him intently as Mulder finally gasped out, "Wha- What was 'that' for?"

"Complaining?"

"No...just curious, what got into you?"

Alex had grinned and poked his finger on the bridge of the glasses, pushing the glasses more firmly on Mulder's nose. "You look damned sexy in those glasses, Lisa. How come I never saw you in them before?"

Mulder's hand had flown up and tried to take them off, apparently he had forgotten they were on. Alex grabbed his hand and prevented it. "Oh, I just...I don't always need them to read and..."

Alex had let a chuckle escape, he couldn't believe it, "Are you 'embarrassed' by them? What's the matter, don't want to admit your age?"

Mulder glared a little, but with humor, "I've needed them since my twenties, I'll have you know. I just don't always remember to use them and I get a headache. I found them while unpacking and remembered to use them."

"Sure...whatever you say, Lisa. But, now that I know you wear them, I expect you to wear them 'every' time you read...especially in bed" he'd growled. Mulder had laughed and kissed him, not understanding his attraction to the reading glasses, but definitely willing to indulge him in his kink.

Alex tucked the glasses aside and pulled the quilt up more firmly before returning to the boxes.

XXX

Mulder's head was in Alex's lap as they watched the news. His body was stretched out on the couch as he rested. 'Like a beached whale.' He smirked to himself. The twins were considerably bulkier than Kat had been. It made getting up and down from chairs and the bathtub interesting.

During commercials, Mulder rolled onto his back, his head still pillowed in Alex's lap. Alex was biting his nails, eyes glued to the TV still.

"Alex? What's wrong?" The younger man had been perfectly calm a minute ago, but now his body was suddenly tense.

He didn't answer, but suddenly shoved at the pillow and stood up. Mulder managed to keep from falling off the couch and rolled off it awkwardly to his knees and then climbed up to his feet. Alex was across the room, staring out the windows.

Mulder felt a slight dizziness and sat down on the sofa. Something caught his eye in the TV screen and he picked up the remote from the floor. Turning the sound back on he watched with equal parts fascination and horror as a breaking news story interrupted the regular program.

"...officials state that the signal disruption has not caused any major damage..." Alex turned from the window suddenly and went out the front door, leaving the door wide open. Mulder got up and walked quickly to the door. As he went he heard the reporter continue, "...reports of an unidentified aircraft are being investigated by the FBI, but our sources state that it is unlikely that a connection..."

"Alex!" By the time Mulder reached the front door Alex's car was already backing down the driveway. Mulder reached the driveway just as the car disappeared down the street. Fumbling for his keys, Mulder was about to follow in his own car when Kat called out.

"Daddy?"

'Shit.' No way could he just leave Kat and it was already too late to follow. Not at the speed Alex had been going at. ^Alex?!^ There was no response, he couldn't feel his lover at all.

"It's okay, Kat. Let's go back inside."

"Where did papa go?"

"I'm not sure, Kat. Come on."

XXX

Time and place unknown.

The homing signal brought back 300 human agents to the site. Not all of the agents were cooperative, however. After years of relative peace, they were loathe to leave their families and wary of new orders. Retraining and conditioning would be necessary. The hunters quickly ordered the scientists and security force to assemble the agents for easy processing. ^And separate Agent 319, he requires special conditioning for his assignment.^

XXX

The scent of pine needles was nearly swallowed up by the smells of hundreds of people. Perfumes, colognes, and deodorants wafted over Alex's nose, as well as the stink of a few unwashed bodies. Faces and various body parts swam before his eyes. Blinking, Alex's mind finally jolted into conscious thought long after his other senses had. Looking around him he realized he was in the middle of a large crowd of men and women. Other faces registered similar confusion and he was jostled by a few elbows as others turned and surveyed their surroundings.

Ignoring the biting chill of the late fall wind, Alex struggled with the immediate questions that pestered him for answers. How had he gotten here? Where was Fox?! And Katerina?! The last thing he remembered was Mulder's head in his lap as they watched TV. Well, Mulder had watched TV, he'd been watching Mulder. And then...something, not a sound but a feeling. He'd felt a tremendous urge to...go somewhere.

Looking around he recognized a few faces and suddenly realized what had happened. The rebel agents were being recalled by the morphs.

Before he could wonder why several small groups of morphs appeared and began surrounding them, herding the humans into groups of ten. He tried to speak and realized he couldn't, his vocal cords seized in his throat and as he looked around he noticed the unusual quiet amongst the other humans. In a group this large the silence was positively eerie. He was shoved from behind and staggered as he found himself being forced along with his group towards the opening of a morph ship. He was herded into a large room and he came to stand in the center, six other men and three women stood next to him. They stared at one another, still unable to speak when a morph returned and stood before them.

^The resistance requires your services once more. You will be evaluated and retrained as deemed necessary before assignment. Your cooperation is mandatory. Agent 319, you will come with me.^

XXX

"Goddamnit, Scully. The news said that the FBI was investigating the sighting-"

"Mulder! Listen to me, the sighting has been officially identified as a military aircraft flying scheduled maneuvers near the local base. It was a false alarm, now tell me again what happened to Alex."

"I 'told' you, he just got up and drove off. He left the front door open and didn't say a word to me. I think he was called. The news report said a ship was sighted at the same time he just got up and left." Mulder's voice was low and tense. He was trying not to scream out his frustration because of Kat's presence in the next room, but with every moment that went by, he was becoming more and more sure that Alex was in great danger.

Scully was silent at the mention of being 'called.' Remembering the incident with Cassandra and the mysterious burnt corpses, she shuddered. She still wasn't sure what had happened that day, but the very thought of Alex's body burnt to a crisp on a bridge somewhere sent chills down her spine.

"All right, I'll look into the sighting myself, I don't know what I'll say to Skinner, but..."

Mulder felt a small wave of relief. If only he could go himself, but with the twins he didn't dare risk it. Besides, Kat needed him...especially with Alex missing. How his life had changed, once he would have left without a moment's notice or care, now he had three others to think of. 'No, four. I'll find him. No way am I giving up after everything we've gone through.'

Scully finally hung up and went in search of A.D. Skinner. Not a pleasant task in the best of circumstances. As she walked down the hallway towards his office, Doggett intercepted her.

"Agent Scully, are you heading over to the A.D.'s office?" Doggett's eyes pierced her own, his expression one of extreme caution.

"Yes, why?"

"Well, I was just in there and I have to warn you...he's on a real rampage today. Perhaps you'd like some back up? What are you seeing him for?"

Scully frowned and stepped back slightly. "I'm quite capable of facing the A.D. myself, thank you Agent Doggett. Excuse me."

Not perturbed, Doggett halted her once more, "I didn't mean it like that. Just that two heads are better than one. I just want to help."

Scully sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and answering him with more patience. "Thank you, but it's a bit...well, it's business 'and' it's personal, so..."

Doggett nodded with understanding, "Mulder?"

Scully looked a little surprised but nodded, "Yes. The unknown aircraft sighting- the one that's been officially solved and dismissed...Mulder has a hunch that it isn't what they are stating it is. I told him I'd look into it."

Doggett smirked, "Mulder isn't satisfied with the official explanation? I'm truly shocked, Agent Scully. I assume you'll be asking for a 302?"

XXX

Skinner popped another aspirin in the hopes of assuaging his monstrous headache. The paperwork in front of him made no sense. The words and numbers swam before his tired eyes. Sighing, he took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.

His phone rang, "Skinner" he barked.

"Sir, Agents Scully and Doggett would like a moment with you" Kim's voice was brisk and efficient as always.

'Doggett again?' "Let them in, Kim."

Pushing back from his desk he stood up and walked forward as the two agents stepped in his office. Scully led the way as Doggett closed the door after them quietly. Skinner gestured towards the chairs and leaned on his desk, his arms crossed against his chest. "Agent Scully, Doggett, what is this about?"

Scully sat on the edge of her chair and glanced at Doggett before squaring her shoulders. "Sir, I'd like to submit my request for a 302 to investigate into a reported sighting in Minnesota-"

Skinner held a hand out to stop her, "Sighting? Wait, is this the so called UFO sighting that the military debunked earlier today?"

Scully sighed, but remained determined, "Not 'debunked' sir, but explained as an aircraft on maneuvers, however there is some question as to whether or not the unknown aircraft was indeed the military's and if the military is being completely forthcoming."

Skinner narrowed his eyes, "Some question? From who, Agent Scully?"

Scully raised her chin and held her head high, "From Mulder for one. He raised some concern over the veracity of the military's claims and stated some circumstances that led him to believe that a situation may be reoccurring that could endanger civilian lives."

Skinner dropped his arms and placed his hands on his hips. "Are you purposely being evasive, Agent Scully? What circumstances? What situation is reoccurring?"

"Sir, the so-called cultist gatherings and mass-murder by fire of a few years ago. The case concerning the disappearance of Cassandra Spender..."

Skinner relaxed slightly, "And yourself? You were missing for a while and couldn't remember what happened, is that what you're referring to? How does Mulder make the connection? There hasn't been any reporting of burnt corpses-"

Scully felt a chill at the memory but interrupted, "But there 'has' been a large number of missing person cases opened within the last several hours. Numerous men and women have left their homes with no word to their families...just as they did the first time."

Skinner slumped slightly and moved back to sit down at his desk. Scully stood and pulled out a packet of papers, lists of the reported missing, she plopped it onto his desk, venting her frustration slightly in the act. Skinner excused it, he was beginning to feel a large swell of dread in his gut.

"How has Mulder become aware of this? Is it on the news? I haven't heard anything-"

It was Doggett that finally spoke up, Scully couldn't find it in herself to speak to Skinner what she'd only confessed to her current partner so far. "Alex Krycek is among the missing."

Skinner glanced up, his eyes were hidden by the glare of light on his lenses; something Scully felt a little grateful for. He didn't say a word, but his clenched jaw said it all.

XXX

Mulder wondered why he just couldn't get used to frustrating feeling of uselessness when someone he loved was missing...in danger. Hell, you'd think he'd be used to it by now...Samantha...Scully...but each time felt just as raw and hopeless as the first time. What made it even worse was that now he had his daughter's eyes to answer to.

Kat's tearful eyes followed him around the house. She'd given up asking about her papa and now followed him silently around the house. As if she was afraid he'd disappear too if she took her eyes off him for a moment. Sighing, Mulder sat down on the couch in the living room with a book.

"Come here, Kat. Let's read a story." Katerina clutched her doll and shook her head, ducking her face down into her dolls hair, but her eyes remained on Mulder. After a moment, though, she reluctantly climbed up next to him and laid her head on what was left of his lap. Mulder brushed the hair out of her eyes before opening the book. "Once upon a time..."

XXX

Alex shivered in the freezing metal cage he'd woken up in. It was just large enough for him to stoop over and walk with his back hunched over from one end to the other. It was barely long enough for him to lay down in. He felt like a dog. Only dogs were walked twice a day. He just had a little hole in the corner.

He had no idea how long he'd been here. Hours? Days? No way of knowing. After the morph had taken him from the others he'd been interrogated at length while strapped down to a metal exam table. He'd refused to answer questions about his family. Especially those about Mulder's hybrid traits. He'd be damned if he'd tell them about the opening on Mulder's belly...or the current pregnancy.

And he hadn't...he didn't think. Thing was, he didn't know for sure. After a while...a couple of hours? They had injected him with something that had made him sweat and his vision blur. Time had stretched like taffy and he'd been only vaguely aware of himself talking without being able to understand a word of what he was saying.

'Shit. I'm so sorry, Mulder. Kat...' Alex shivered again, he wondered if he was still feeling the effects of the drug or if they'd done something to him. He didn't feel well...feverish, muddled. He kept forgetting that the morphs could read minds...hell, they hadn't had to interrogate him, had they? They could have just gotten what they wanted from his head.

'No, that's not right...Mulder taught me to shield. I was shielding when they first had me...right? Am I shielding now? I don't think so...I can't remember how to do it.'

Christ, it was all fucked up. They'd be grabbing Mulder soon...they must have the location by now. Was Mulder here already? Had they taken him? Killed the babies?! Alex scrambled to his feet and hobbled over to the bars, back hunched over. "Hey! Let me out of here! Mulder?! Leave him alone, you bastards!! Fox!"

XXX

Scully stood in line with her ticket, waiting to board the plane when she suddenly noticed Agent Doggett had stepped up next to her, he carried a carryon bag and trench coat in either hand.

"Agent Doggett? What are you doing here?"

"Same as you, investigating a mysterious aircraft."

Scully dropped her head and shook it slightly before looking back up. "But you know A.D. Skinner hasn't approved the investigation, he told us both to back off. You shouldn't be here, Doggett."

"Neither should you, but I don't see that stopping you. I'm here to find answers...and help you. Don't try to stop me." His voice held a hint of humor.

Scully matched his tone, "I wouldn't dream of it."

They needn't have bothered. When they arrived to the area that the ship had been sighted, any evidence had been cleaned up. Whether by rain washing away any trace of possible landing or footprints in the woods, or by witnesses suddenly mysteriously silent. No one would speak to them about the sighting and there wasn't the slightest hint of any aircraft, military or otherwise.

Boarding their plane back, Scully kept reliving her disappointing call to Mulder. His voice had sounded full of hope when she first answered, but quickly turned flat and dead with her apologetic explanation. "They covered it all up."

"They? I thought they were all gone, Mulder. The war..."

"They're never completely gone. Alex knew that, but we managed to avoid them, anyway. He's not dead, Scully. I'd know it."

As Scully sat in her seat and waited for the plane to take off, she prayed he was right.

XXX

Five Days Later...

Krycek pulled up to the house and surveyed it and the grounds.

He tucked his gun in his pants and stepped out of the car. His superiors had made his assignment clear. Mulder was a new colonist hybrid. He was to apprehend him alive and unharmed. He'd been warned of Mulder's advanced state of pregnancy, requiring greater care in capturing him without damage.

'Pregnancy, I'd laugh if I weren't sure they were dead serious.'

He shut the door of his car and stepped toward the house. He noticed a curtain move and the front door flung open. Mulder stood in the doorway.

"Alex?"

This was the strangest assignment he'd had with the rebels... and that was saying quite a bit, but he could do it. After all...he hated Mulder.

8:00 p.m.
Mulder/Krycek Home.

"Alex?"

Mulder stepped out of house but came no closer. Alex steeled himself, making sure the shields were firmly up before he walked up to the hybrid. Alex was surprised to see Mulder's eyes were glistening in the light spilling from the front door. Mentally shrugging he nodded, "Who else?"

XXX

"What about the other reported missing? Have they returned home, too?" Mulder glanced over at Alex. His lover was sitting on the couch stiffly, eyes staring out the living room window, but Mulder knew without a doubt he was listening to his conversation.

"Not that I've checked with so far. I have a list of at least 248 who are officially missing. All in the same manner as Alex and none have reported their return and I've called several of them myself...still missing. What has Alex said? What happened?" Scully was exasperated.

"Not much...I'll have to get back to you on that. You'll let me know if any other cases turn up?"

"Of course. Mulder? Be careful..."

Mulder smiled grimly as he stared at his lover. "Not to worry." He hung up and glanced at Kat's door. It was still shut. She'd been asleep when he'd heard Alex pull into the driveway for which he was grateful...they needed to talk first.

Mulder made to sit on the couch next to his lover but hesitated for a moment before sitting on the chair instead.

"I noticed you neglected to mention that how you've decided to celebrate my return home, Mulder." Alex jiggled his cuffs behind his back with a sneer.

Mulder shrugged, "I also neglected to mention that you tried to attack me. I'd rather not worry her. So, Alex... How about we discuss what's wrong here."

Krycek cocked his head. "Wrong? Nothing's wrong, 'hybrid.'" The word came out as a nasty hiss. A shiver ran down Mulder's spine. This was NOT his lover.

Not that he was alien, either. It was Alex's body, but his mind was another matter. After checking his blood and then his eyes, Mulder was satisfied that he was neither morph or oilean. And the link...it was still there, but strongly blocked.

As for the man's actions... When Alex had first approached him at their front door Mulder had pulled him into a firm embrace, torn between squeezing him to death and shaking him out of frustrated relief. It had taken a full moment to realize that Alex was stiff as a board in his arms. Pulling back, he'd led Alex into the house. As they'd entered, Mulder had pulled his gun and stiletto at the same time that Krycek had struck. The stiletto went flying, but Mulder held onto his gun, pointing it at his lover's panting face.

After restraining him he'd checked him out and then called Scully. Now he stared at a face full of hatred. Alex glared at him, eyes cold and flinty.

"There is something VERY wrong here, Alex. You leave without a word, disappear for days and then come back and attack me. Why? What happened? Was it the rebels?"

A hint of surprise flashed on Alex's face before it quickly disappeared behind his cold mask. "And what would 'you' know of the rebels, collaborator?"

Mulder jerked as if slapped, "How can you say that? You know full well I'm no collaborator. Anymore than you are."

Alex shrugged, "I have nothing more to say to you, Mulder. I have my orders and I intend to follow them." Alex finished with a determined set to his face.

Mulder continued to question him, but to no avail. He was considering bluffing Krycek with the gun when a little voice banished the idea from his head.

"Papa?" Kat stood in the door, one hand clutched Kisa in a hold that the kitten obviously wasn't happy with. She stared with big round eyes at her returned father before dumping her pet on the ground and rushing up to the couch. "Papa!"

Mulder was torn between protecting his daughter and watching Alex's face agape with shock. Kat was halfway into the restrained man's lap before he stopped her.

"No, Kat. Wait."

Kat swung her head up to Mulder. "Why?"

Mulder sighed but set her down, he wished he still had a lap to set her on, but he was too far along. Kat was a very smart child and had grown up under less than normal circumstances. He knew that he couldn't possibly hide the problem and she needed to know to be careful.

"Something is wrong. Papa's not well. He isn't behaving right. You remember last time Papa wasn't really Papa?"

Kat darted a fearful look at Alex once more and then looked back at her other father nodding seriously. "He isn't Papa? Is he going to hurt you again?" Her voice was tiny and it broke Mulder's heart. 'Oh, Alex. What is this doing to her? We have to stop this interference in our lives. No child deserves such nightmares.'

Out loud he spoke in a reassuring voice. "It's Papa, not the oil, but there's something wrong. And I'm not going to let him hurt anyone. He's tied up now and we'll have to keep him like that until he's better, okay?"

Kat nodded sadly and still looked scared. Alex was completely silent, staring at the girl with intense interest. Noticing Mulder's observation he quickly adjusted his expression to studied disinterest. What had they done to Alex? Did he even remember their little girl? So many questions and theories whirled in his mind.

He sent Kat off to bed, promising to come tuck her in again before she fell asleep.

Alex ignored her departure, eyes firmly planted on the rug in front of him. "You don't remember her, do you, Alex?" The soft words jolted him from his reverie.

"What are you talking about, Mulder?" Alex tried for his earlier cold nonchalance, but he was tired and it came out wearily.

"Your daughter. She's our daughter Alex. And these..." Mulder put a hand on his stomach, "are our sons. We had a life together. This is our home. And the link...you're blocking it. Everything we had together. How much do you remember?"

Mulder's words resounded in his head, his daughter, sons, a home, a life together, the words struck something deep within him. But then the anger surged, hate...Mulder was a hybrid. An impure being. He must be brought in to the rebels. He was a collaborator...he lied. It wasn't important what he said...

For just a moment the link opened. Mulder could feel his lover's confusion for just a second and then a wave of hate and anger flared as the link slammed shut.

"I told you, I have nothing further to say."

XXX

Mulder cuffed Alex to the radiator in the bedroom to tuck Kat in. Afterwards, he led Alex into the bathroom, leaving the cuffs on in front of him. Alex clenched his jaw at having to pee in front of the other man, but Mulder refused to leave him alone.

"You're a very resourceful man, Alex. I'll be damned if I'll give you a chance to free yourself and hurt us. Now just go ahead and get it over with, it's not the first time I've seen it." Mulder smirked and Alex had to remind himself that he wasn't supposed to actually kill the hybrid, only capture him.

After he'd used the facilities, Mulder silently handed him his toothbrush and then pointedly dropped it back into the cup with his own on the sink.

Alex noticed the two brushes resting side by side with little interest. Mulder then led him into the bedroom. Ordering him to strip down to his shirt and boxers, he then cuffed Krycek's hands to the headboard before returning to the bathroom.

Krycek tested the cuffs, solidly locked, too tight to pull his wrists through. The cuffs clanked against the metal frame, and it too was solidly welded together. He sighed and let his head fall back on the pillow. Glancing around the room he noticed the muted colors, soft beige walls, blue curtains, oak furniture. Mulder's clothes were in small piles, scattered throughout the room. Books lay on the bedside table on the other side of the bed. Papers stuck out from in between them and there were a few sunflower seeds scattered on them and even a few trailed onto the sheets.

'Mulder's still a pig. Some things never change.' His eyes rolled over to the table next to him. An alarm clock, the watch he'd taken off earlier. And something small, metallic. He rolled over and looked closer. An earring, his earring. He'd gotten it years ago. And he 'hadn't' been wearing it earlier. Meaning...Mulder had had it. And it was 'here', in the house Mulder said was theirs, on the bedside that was supposedly Alex's. Anger flared and he closed his eyes, ignoring it.

The toilet flushed and the sink ran. A few minutes later Mulder came out. A robe around his rather large body. He walked around the bed and flung back the covers on his side.

This wasn't happening, Mulder couldn't actually be expecting to get into bed with him. "Mulder...what do you think you're doing?" Alex put as much contempt as possible in his voice.

"Going to bed. I'm tired and this is my bed...OUR bed. You've been gone for days and I missed having you in my bed. I've gotten rather used to you here." Mulder sounded almost wistful. An almost fragile quality to an otherwise strong voice and will. Mulder shrugged off the robe and toed off his slippers.

"And just what do you plan to do, Mulder?" Alex sneered. "Leave me tied up in your bed until I succumb to your wiles? It won't work."

Mulder smiled almost sadly. "I'm not sure. Tactile memories are often the easiest to recover. Smell, touch, they can echo lost memories and help them to surface. Also familiarity. But if nothing else..." Mulder slipped into the bed next to his captive and pulled the covers back up over his growing belly, "...I'll know if you start to escape." With that, Mulder switched off the light and snuggled up close to Alex.

So close that Alex found his nose buried in Mulder's hair for a moment. He smelled like ivory shampoo and a hint of clean sweat. Just enough to make the scent distinctly Mulder. It was...almost familiar.

Alex jerked his head back so his face was clear of Mulder's hair. The other man didn't stir, though Alex knew he must still be awake. Mulder lay on his side, one arm thrown over Alex's chest, pinning him lightly and making it clear that if Krycek moved, Mulder would know.

It had another effect, though; against his side Alex felt a shift and a bump followed strange squirming sensation. Glancing down he could make out the lumpy bundle that was Mulder and realized it must be the other man's stomach. 'God, how disgusting. Having two squirming parasites in your stomach. To think that Mulder actually seems fine with it.' More than fine. He knew that Mulder was most protective of those lives. Unfortunately, in moving his face down for a look, he also brushed Mulder's hair with his nose again. He turned his face to the side and the trailing hairs tickled his nose unbearably.

With his face turned completely away from Mulder's he twitched his nose slightly to try to assuage the maddening sensation. Useless. With his hands cuffed above him he would have to try to forget it. Damned if he'd say anything to Mulder. Was the man asleep yet?

He struggled to think of other matters and ignore the itch. All of a sudden, a finger scratched his nose 'exactly' where it itched. As if it was his 'own' finger. His hands twitched in their cuffs at the unexpected sensation, reminding him that it most definitely 'wasn't' his fingernail.

Just as quickly as it relieved the itch it disappeared and Mulder snuggled his head on his chest. "Better?" He husked sleepily, not bothering to look up.

Alex let out a puff of exasperated air and tossed his head against the pillow facing away once more. He felt rather than heard the chuckle from Mulder and then all was still and quiet once more.

XXX

Alex was awoken by a jolt, the bedsprings squealed as something jumped onto it. Opening his eyes, he squinted against the morning light to see Kat staring at him shyly, a tentative smile on her face. "Morning, Papa."

Krycek groaned and tried to stretch his stiff muscles, he winced as the cramps in his arms and shoulders let themselves be known. At his groan the bathroom door opened.

Mulder stepped out, already dressed. "Oh good, you're up. Kat, why don't you go set out some cereal and juice downstairs, I'm going to help Papa get ready and we'll be down in a few minutes. Don't forget to feed Kisa and Sasha." Kat bounced off the bed and thumped down the stairs. A ball of fur raced out from under the bed as the kitten raced her down to the food dish.

Mulder carefully uncuffed him from the bed but quickly recuffed him with his hands in front of him once more. Alex glared but stretched his arms as best he could. He shuffled into the bathroom and this time Mulder gave him more privacy, leaving the door open but staying outside the room until he was finished.

Afterwards was a shower, a brief and awkward one with his left hand shackled to the towel bar and Mulder watching just outside. It wasn't all that different from when he'd lost his arm, only he had to ask Mulder to hand him the shampoo when he couldn't reach it. Mulder simply uncapped it and squirted some in his palm. He handed him a towel when done and kept his eyes politely averted.

Clean, dressed and seated at the breakfast table, Alex looked forward to a chance to turn the tables on Mulder. He should have known better. He remained cuffed, hands behind his back and Kat was given the duty of feeding him pancakes and bacon.

Needless to say, Alex was not in a pleasant mood by the time breakfast was over. Kat went out to play after Mulder told her to remain in the yard and within eyesight from the window. They sat at the table quietly, Kat's laughter and footsteps echoing outside.

"You can't keep me cuffed like this forever, Mulder." Alex snarled, trying to keep his voice down since what he really wanted to do was shout.

Mulder stared at an empty juice glass. "I know. I'm hoping that isn't necessary. But for now...I can't trust you. You'll just have to live with it."

Alex stretched his arms as far as the cuffs allowed, which wasn't much. "That's easy for 'you' to say, Mulder." His arms ached and his shoulders were bunched up.

Mulder stood and walked around to the back of his chair. Warm palms suddenly rested on his shoulders, startling Alex who jumped slightly.

"Relax."

Alex opened his mouth and then quickly shut it. No sooner had Mulder touched him than his shoulders eased. The pain melting away and Mulder lightly massaged the muscles. It felt so wonderful. He let out a little groan before he could catch himself. He stiffened at his breach of control and pulled his body forward, out of Mulder's hands.

Mulder chuckled softly but let him go.

XXX

Krycek should have known better, Mulder dropped his hands from his shoulders but he then seized the opportunity to interrogate him while Kat was busy outside.

"What happened onboard the morph ship, Alex?" Mulder sat down next to him, his profiler eyes prying into him.

Alex shifted slightly away, but said nothing.

"You were separated from the other humans, the morph put you in another room...what happened then?" Alex's head jerked up and he stared wildly at Mulder, but still didn't speak. His breathing quickened.

Mulder forged ahead. "The room...it was cold. Very cold. The table-"

Alex stood up with lightning speed, his chair flying out from behind him. Mulder couldn't help a reflexive move back in his chair, he was suddenly grateful that Alex's hands were cuffed 'behind' him. "Stop it! Just stop it! Stay out of my mind, hybrid!"

Mulder stood, but was careful to keep his distance. "I'm not in your mind, Alex. You're still blocking me. I'm only telling you what I saw last night. You dreamt of that room, Alex. They did something to you and you need-"

"No!" Alex took a threatening step at Mulder ready to attack.

"Papa, don't!" Alex whirled around at the little girl's voice and Mulder rushed forward, putting himself in between her and Alex, even though he didn't think he would really harm her.

"Calm down, Alex. It's okay."

Krycek closed his eyes, the anger still seethed within him; he struggled to control it once more. Flashes of a morph face leaning down on him. A needle, pain, a voice...the anger swelled until black dots appeared before his eyes and a red haze blurred his vision. As he fell he could hear Katerina crying.

XXX

He blinked, muted light filtered through blue curtains as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Hey, how do you feel?" Alex turned his head and saw Mulder propped up next to him on the bed, leaning against a pillow. Mulder's hand reached over and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and his fingertips trailed lightly over his forehead before withdrawing. It felt soothing and he felt an odd sense of loss when they dropped away.

"Wha'happ'n'd?" It came out as a croak and Krycek cleared his throat.

Mulder reached over and handed him a glass of water, Alex was startled to find that his hands were free. He gratefully drained the glass.

"You collapsed. I think you might have remembered something, but the conditioning kicked in...You had a sensory overload and passed out."

Alex looked up at Mulder and noticed his face was gray, his eyes tight with pain. Mulder noticed his observation and shrugged slightly, "The link opened up a bit. Anyway, you've been asleep for hours. Hungry?"

Sitting up, Krycek nodded to the bathroom, "Actually..." Mulder nodded and stayed where he was.

Alone in the bathroom for Alex closed the door and quickly whirled around, opening the medicine cabinet he pulled out what he was looking for. Looking down at his arm he worked quickly and quietly.

XXX

Mulder heard the toilet flush and the faucet run. Alex stepped out of the bathroom dressed in the clean sweats that Mulder had left for him on the sink and Mulder's heart gave a tug at seeing his lover's hair rumpled and the sleepy expression on his face. It would be so easy to forget the stranger that lived behind that face now. The stranger that even now peered at him with cold hard eyes. "What is it?" Alex's voice was cold and indifferent. He smoothed his sleeves, although they were already down and stared at Mulder with a cocked eyebrow.

"Nothing. I was going to make a quick dinner if you were hungry." Alex shrugged and nodded, heading towards the door.

Mulder regretted having to do it, but he couldn't let his guard down now. Alex's conditioning obviously went fairly deep.

"Uh, Alex?" Krycek turned back and scowled as Mulder held out the cuffs. He sighed and then held out his hands.

XXX

Dinner over, they retired to bed early. Mulder snuggled close once more. His leg trapped both of Alex's underneath him and his arm lay draped over him. Mulder's stomach was wedged between them as before.

This time Mulder fell asleep quickly and Alex lay still. The warm body draped over him was heavy, but he didn't feel confined. Mulder snuffled and rubbed his chin on his chest, "Alex." The word was a breathy sigh, barely audible.

Long hours stretched by, but Alex couldn't sleep, Mulder sighed and shifted, trying to move even closer than he already was. It was physically impossible with the big belly between them, but Alex found himself nuzzling back slightly.

He stopped and stiffened. He was losing his objectivity, letting the hybrid seduce him. He couldn't afford to fail on this mission. Alex turned his face away from Mulder's and eventually fell into a restless sleep.

xxxx

Breakfast was an exasperating event like the day before. The little girl insisted on calling him papa constantly and feeding him her sugary kid's cereal. Mulder watched with an amused look on his face while he made his own bowl of cereal.

"Open, Papa." The little girl stood on her chair and waved the dripping spoon precariously in front of his mouth. He had little choice, eat it or let it plop in his lap in another minute. He opened his mouth and clamped down on it, not letting her have it back, his teeth firm. The girl was brave; he'd give her that. Startled at first, she then calmly called out to Mulder.

"He won't give me the spoon back, Daddy."

Mulder turned and carried his bowl to the table, sitting down across from them. "Now that isn't very nice, Alex. Give her back the spoon or she'll dump the bowl in your lap, dearest." Mulder gave him a little flutter of the eyelids and then a stern glare that told Alex he meant business.

Alex opened his mouth and let the spoon drop to the floor. Mulder ignored him, looking at his bowl as he took a bite. "I think that's enough, Kat. He must be full. Are you finished with your breakfast, hon?" He glanced up at his daughter who nodded and then scampered off to play.

Mulder finished the bowl of cereal with zeal and then filled it again and continued eating. The silence became awkward and Alex shifted in his chair, handcuffs grinding against his wrists at his back. He decided to distract himself and watched Mulder polish off the second bowl, pop a piece of toast and then grab a banana. "Geez, Mulder."

Mulder glanced up with a mouthful of banana, "Whah?" and then swallowed with a grin. "The twins are hungry. Want some juice?" He held up the jug of juice he had just poured his own glass with.

He couldn't deny his thirst and he hoped this would be his chance. "Yes," he replied, jiggling his wrists slightly so the handcuffs rattled. Mulder filled another glass and then scooted closer, holding it to his lips. Alex glared, but took a long swallow of the pineapple-orange juice.

Mulder was so close...his knuckles brushed against his cheek as he tilted the glass and his moss-green eyes were staring intently into his own.

--Small sips, don't want to get sick.--

Krycek blinked, what the hell was that? A voice...his voice had echoed in his head...a memory?

Mulder finally broke the staring contest and set the glass down. "Well, you didn't eat much. Want some toast?" Krycek shrugged so Mulder got up and popped a piece of cinnamon raisin bread in the toaster. He watched Mulder butter it and then hold it up to his mouth. He chewed a bite and avoided Mulder's stare, looking at the refrigerator door, it was covered in childish drawings and colorful magnets.

Mulder sat down and held the toast out again for another bite.

-- Think you can eat something?

Yeah, what's that?

Damned if I know, tastes like Styrofoam and about as filling. All we got right now, they should bring warm food soon, though. --

Alex choked on the toast and as Mulder thwacked him on the back he gave him an odd look. "What?" he asked irritation increased by the hoarseness of his voice.

"You're remembering, aren't you?"

"Remembering what? Get out of my head, Mulder." Alex glared at him before turning his head away from him once more. Mulder stayed quiet for a moment and then got up and left the kitchen.

XXX

Dinner was eaten without handcuffs for the first time. Mulder had a gun tucked into a holster under his sweater, but there was an unspoken truce between the two of them. Alex enjoyed the freedom, knowing he'd likely be back in cuffs for bedtime once more.

Pepperoni, mushroom and black olive pizza for the grownups and a small cheese pizza for Kat graced the table along with a salad. Alex and Kat dived in with relish, but Mulder picked at his food.

Mulder finally finished half of a slice but claimed his stomach wasn't agreeing with it. After dumping his plate's contents into the trash, Mulder then walked over to a cabinet and opened it. He glanced at Alex with a furtive look, as his hand groped at something the younger man couldn't see.

Swallowing a bite of pizza, Krycek gave an exasperated sigh, "What?"

Mulder jumped and looked guilty for a second before shrugging with a nonchalant face. "Nothing."

He shut the door and sat down at the table, a shiny foil packet in his hand. Unwrapping it he pulled out a blue iced poptart. He bit into one with obvious enjoyment and looked up at Alex once more.

Krycek rolled his eyes and finished his slice. The phone rang and Mulder grabbed the cordless handset and disappeared into the living room to answer it. Alex wondered at this display of trust until he reached for another slice of pizza and noticed that Mulder could see them clearly through the doorway where he sat on the couch with the phone.

Kat daintily wiped her mouth clean and then climbed up in her chair in order to lean in and whisper into his ear. "You never let him eat those poptarts. You say they're bad for him and the babies and you only got them for me. But he always sneaks them anyway." Satisfied in disclosing her childish, but serious secret, Kat hopped down from her chair and raced off to play in her room. Kisa followed her.

Alex shook his head, imagine he, Alex Krycek, a mother hen clucking after Mulder's eating habits. Not that they weren't deplorable. Mulder hadn't eaten any of the salad at dinner either. He guessed that someone 'should' keep an eye on the man's eating habits. His thoughts were interrupted by Mulder's return to the kitchen.

Mulder hung up the phone with just a little more force that strictly necessary and started cleaning up the plates and napkins. "Done?" Mulder asked, his eyes on his task and his movements jerky.

"What's wrong? Was that Scully?" Alex felt a surge of inexplicable concern.

Mulder dumped the plates in the sink and then leaned on the counter. His eyes were cold. "Well, there's been some signs of unusual break-ins and evidence of abandoned unauthorized labs. There may be more missing people, there were signs that patients were taken, but no records to verify. Sounds like consortium labs being ransacked and some of their guinea pigs stolen. This wouldn't sound familiar to you, would it, Alex?" Mulder crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows expectantly.

Krycek shrugged, "Should it?" He was under no obligation to explain the rebels' actions to a hybrid.

"Well, I'm thinking that the other missing members were also rebel agents as you once were. Am I close? And their task was to round up other possible hybrids for the morphs just as you were sent to bring me in."

Another shrug. "I suppose that's possible."

"Why, Alex? Are they killing them? Experimenting? What?"

Krycek shook his head with exasperation. "And what does that really matter, Mulder? You let the colonists experiment on you. The morphs are simply cleaning up the collaborators and their work."

Mulder's face was white with shock and anger, "What the fuck is wrong with you, Alex? What did they do to warp you like this? I've never been a collaborator and I didn't 'let' anyone experiment on me. The colonists may have started the hybridization, but it was your own rebel friends that finished it. And as much as it hurt and as much as it changed me...there's also a part of me that can't help but be a little grateful for it. We never would have had Katerina otherwise. Or be able to have our sons. So I can live with the changes, I can even find good in them. But don't you EVER call me a collaborator again!" Mulder's voice had started icy and low but it ended with a passionate hiss that stabbed Alex to the core.

Was he telling the truth? The morphs were experimenting with hybrids? And Mulder...was an unwilling participant? Alex couldn't shake the feeling of truth that permeated Mulder's words. It rang true in his heart if not his mind.

Mulder sensed the confusion and decided to up the stakes. "Perhaps you need a little visual. Want to see how much they changed me?" Mulder raised his shirt, revealing the pregnant swell of belly. Alex stared, shocked at the sight before finally noticing a small slit above the belly button.

Unthinkingly, Alex reached a hand and touched the swell. A flash of memory, Mulder reluctantly revealing it to him for the first time. Mulder moaning as his fingertips rubbed the edges of the opening. The feeling of making love to him there...

"Oh god..." Alex jerked his hand back and Mulder dropped the shirt once more.

"So Katerina..."

Mulder shook his head. "No, actually we hadn't...been together yet. I didn't have the slit then...the morphs...they were experimenting with me. They impregnated me and used your DNA as well. They planned to terminate us."

Alex visibly swallowed at that, unsure of how to respond, but feeling a horrible churning in his stomach at the thought of Mulder...and his...daughter being killed.

Mulder sensed the break in Alex's shields and his lover's hurt and confusion.

"Yes, the 'rebels' did that. They were curious about hybrids, but didn't want to keep them. They thought of us as nothing more than guinea pigs. Just as 'you' were thinking a minute ago. Are you still willing to kill your own children? They aren't going to just kill me. Kat and the boys...they'll be hybrids, too." Mulder leaned closer, his words hissing accusations, "After all...they're 'impure.'" Mulder hurled the last word as an curse. Alex flinched.

Mulder leaned back again, feeling only the slightest bit of satisfaction at finally breaking through Krycek's stoic barrier.

Alex swallowed hard, he knew that Mulder was speaking the truth and it was time. Time to experience the truth as well. He opened the link willingly for the first time and let Mulder into his swirling and confused mind.

Fear, anger, hate and frustration ebbed and flowed without consistency. As Mulder reached out and joined him in his mind he sensed Mulder's own fears and worry but also a far warmer emotion emanated. Love. It glowed like a golden ribbon that weaved in and around Alex's emotions, warming them until Alex felt a growing peace and happiness that he hadn't felt since...since before the morph signal had called out to him. Memory of that day began to come to him in snatches, brief moments flashed by, unconnected and incomplete.

Mulder's hand was warm on his knee. When had Mulder moved? It didn't matter; he concentrated on the warmth seeping into his leg. He felt a brief touch on his face and he glanced up and saw Mulder's eyes staring intently into his own. Fingertips brushed his cheek and the warmth in his mind flared hot...passion, love, desire, empathyunderstandinglovesadnesshopefearwonderhappiness...the thoughts and emotions bled together as one.

Alex leaned forward, his hand on top of the one on his knee so as not to lose contact as he brushed his lips against Mulder's...against Fox's. The kiss was soft and tentative until the other man leaned into it, deepening it before finally breaking it. Leaning their foreheads together they breathed hard as if they had run a marathon, their thoughts swirling around, incomprehensible to anyone but to each other.

"I'm sorry, Lisa. Oh, god, I'm sorry." It came out broken and Alex struggled not to let out the sob that threatened within him. He breathed through his mouth, struggling to keep the emotions within him from building to the crescendo they were rising to.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. Shhh..." Fox stroked his cheek then moved his hand to the back of Alex's neck. His other hand was still clutching Alex's knee with Alex's hand on top of his. Neither one could bear to lose the contact.

"I-" Whatever Alex was going to say was lost in the loud splintering of their front door. Two bounty hunters, a smaller morph and two humans stepped through the doorway.

Mulder struggled to his feet and dived for the stiletto he'd hidden in the lamp next to him. The hunters were quicker; he was trapped between the two in an iron grip at both elbows. The third morph stepped forward and jabbed a needle into Mulder's arm. Mulder immediately felt the effects, his pulse raced with adrenaline, but the drug's effects made his eyelids heavy and he felt a numbing heaviness seep into his bones.

"Alex!" The cry was weak but desperate. He struggled to keep his eyes on his lover.

Krycek straightened and nodded with cold calm to the two hunters holding his struggling lover. "Took you long enough."

Mulder faded but not before feeling the icy clench of his stomach.

Trust is a fragile thing. Trust from one who has been betrayed by loved ones far too often to count is a rare and precious jewel. Betrayal of that same hard won trust is a wound that may not heal...

XXX

10:13 p.m.
Mulder/Krycek Home

Alex quietly shut the front door behind him as the group ahead of him carried Mulder's body to the waiting van. Glancing up at a window on the 2nd floor he saw Kat's frightened face peeking from behind a curtain, her hair mussed from sleep. Giving her a stern look he turned without a word and continued down the walkway towards the vehicle.

The two bounty hunters had already gotten into a sedan parked nearby and driven off, presumably to a meeting point to wait for them. The smaller morph, apparently a scientist, directed the two human agents to strap Mulder into the gurney set up in the back of the van. Alex surveyed the bushes surrounding the property. He was the first to spot Walter Skinner striding out of the bushes, gun raised.

"Freeze! FBI!"

Alex whipped out his gun before any of the others could react and charging he knocked Skinner to the ground. Skinner's gun went off as his arm was knocked into the ground. A brief struggle and one of the rebel agents quickly stepped in, Skinner found himself unarmed and outnumbered.

XXX

10 minutes earlier.

Skinner stood outside the house he'd been seeking for months. Scully had refused to give him the new address, as it was on a 'need to know' basis only. Need to know...after everything he'd done to help Mulder and Scully all of these years, they still didn't trust him, obviously. That knowledge burned in him. As did the knowledge that Mulder, Scully and even the Lone Gunmen trusted Alex Krycek more than him.

He'd been angry with Mulder for choosing Krycek over him. Jealousy was an ugly thing and he was well aware of his behavior and how he'd lost Scully's trust on top of Mulder's, but that didn't mean that he was wrong. Krycek 'couldn't' be trusted.

And now he was being proven right. Krycek had just up and disappeared on his family for days and then returned without a word of explanation. Scully had stopped sharing information about this case with him days ago, but his sources made it clear that Scully herself was worried about Mulder and Krycek. Apparently Mulder was being tight-lipped about Krycek's return and Scully suspected that Krycek might have been affected by his absence. But even though she was worried, she still hadn't gone to make sure everything was all right.

Skinner knew better. A tight-lipped Mulder meant that he was in the middle of something dangerous but unwilling to endanger anyone else. It was obviously up to Skinner to investigate.

So here he was, finally at the house he'd spent so long to track down. He'd thought of simply knocking on the door, but experience told him to stake out the house first, looking for anything suspicious before approaching.

He'd parked around the corner and approached the house from the back, as he walked around the front of the house he spotted a dark blue van in the driveway with it's back doors open. He crept behind a line of tall bushes on the edge of the property and waited. The front door opened suddenly and he felt his heart jump to his throat as he saw two men dragging a body out the front door. The body was tall but fat. No, not fat, just an unusually round belly, Mulder. He gripped his gun tighter as he watched them drag Mulder towards the van. Another man exited the house and closed the door. He looked up at the house before turning towards the van and Skinner could just make out Krycek's profile.

His anger and fear spurred him to a rash and irretrievably stupid move. He dove out of the bushes, gun aimed at the two men struggling with Mulder's weight.

XXX

Skinner should have known that Alex moved like lightning.

And fell on him like a ton of bricks.

The wind knocked out of him, he could only grunt as his gun went off, fired uselessly into the tree line. One of the other men helped Krycek jerk him to his feet, his hands pinned behind his back.

"Fucking FBI! Jackson, finish loading the hybrid and start the engine. I've got him." Krycek's voice was a harsh growl in his ear. Skinner struggled to get enough breath in his lungs to curse.

Jackson started to move, but was hesitant, looking inside the van. Besides Mulder and the man holding him, another figure appeared to be in the van that Skinner hadn't noticed yet. The morph stepped out and Skinner felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of the mutilated eyes and mouth.

^What is this disturbance? ^

Skinner stiffened at the morph's 'speech' sounding in his head. Krycek jerked him around as he faced the morph.

"Law enforcement." Alex tightened his hold on one of his arms, Skinner gritted his teeth at the flare of pain, but kept silent. "He needs to be terminated." Krycek shoved him towards the side of the house, heading towards the backyard.

^Agreed. Finish loading the hybrid. ^ The other two men quickly returned to their job.

As they passed the corner of the house Krycek slammed him into the wall.

Skinner had had enough. "Fucking bast-"

Krycek shoved the muzzle of his gun under his chin. "Save it Skinner. You'll kill us all, you stupid son of a bitch. Wait here until the van leaves and then go get Kat, she's hiding in her room. Tell Scully and Doggett that the rebels are our biggest threat now. Mulder and the other hybrids are being taken for experimentation."

Skinner shoved on the gun arm and Krycek backed off slightly. "Why let them-"

"No time for chitchat, Skinner. Do it, if you give a shit about the human race, never mind Fox." Krycek took several rapid steps backwards and shot the ground near Skinner's feet once. "I'll be in touch."

Krycek gave him one last look of warning and strode back towards the van and Mulder.

XXX

Climbing into the passenger seat, Krycek slammed the door shut and nodded to Jackson. The younger man stepped on the gas a trifle harder than strictly necessary, the tires squealing as they pulled out of the driveway and onto the private street. Two more cars pulled out of the shadows, one pulled in front of them as the other tailed them. Both had a hunter and human agents in them.

Trees whizzed past his window as Alex struggled not to turn around and look at Mulder. Losing his battle, he tilted the visor mirror slightly and watched as the morph pinched the skin on Mulder's arm, injecting him with a green substance. Shields firmly in place, he repressed the homicidal urge building within him as he watched the alien begin to probe Mulder's belly with his fingers.

XXX

Alex and Mulder had trained their daughter well. If Skinner hadn't known she was in the house somewhere he never would have found her.

As it was, he spent twenty minutes searching and calling for her.

Scully had answered her phone with a brisk tone that quickly turned to urgent concern. "I'm catching the next flight. Stay at the house, I'll bring backup." She hung up and Skinner shook his head as he closed the phone and switched the flashlight to his right hand. The cavalry was on their way.

"Katerina? It's Uncle Walter, honey. Your fathers wanted me to stay with you. Kat? Come on, honey..."

Angry, worried, and frustrated beyond belief, Walter Skinner finally had a stroke of brilliance. Turning to the kitchen he opened up a couple of cabinets before he struck gold. One can of tuna fish and a can opener later he had the cat in the kitchen and Katerina scampering after her before stopping at the kitchen doorway. She was a beautiful little girl: dark brown hair, slightly darker than Mulder's and Alex's pert little button nose.

Relieved, Skinner dropped to his knees to appear less threatening. "It's okay, Kat. I'm Uncle Walter. Remember me?"

Kat shook her head; Skinner noticed fresh tear tracks on her face and wished he could sweep her up in a hug right then and there.

"I haven't seen you in a while. You showed me Kisa last time I...visited." The last time he'd seen her had been the oilean crisis. Mulder and Alex had been badly hurt. It wasn't exactly the kind of thing to remind her of right now, but he was desperate to gain her trust.

Kat nodded and smiled hesitantly, but came no further. How foolish he had been to cut himself off from Mulder's daughter. The closest he'd ever come to having a family of his own.

"That's okay, honey, you don't have to come any further. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you all right?"

Kat nodded and then burst into tears. "They took daddy again!"

Skinner stepped cautiously closer to her. He hurt to think of Mulder gone, but even more for Mulder's daughter who might lose her father...both fathers. Her eyes...they were Mulder's eyes. Large almond-shaped hazel eyes that seemed to change color in the light.

She didn't shy away from him, but instead stepped closer and held her arms up. Walter picked her up awkwardly and moved into the living room, sitting down on the couch. The little girl curled up and hugged him tightly, tears seeping into his shirt and she rubbed her nose on his tie. He patted her back and murmured soothing words to her.

His heart captured by another Mulder.

XXX

3:22 a.m.
Location Unknown

As the van pulled up to a nondescript medical building, Krycek glanced harshly at the driver. "What's this? Why haven't we returned to the ship?"

Jackson glanced at him with false bravado, but it was obvious to Alex that he intimidated the man. Good.

"The ship had to retreat back to space, beyond satellite detection. There was too much scrutiny and they needed more room anyway. Most of the other hybrids are already here."

Four armed rebels met the van at the ambulance entrance. Mulder was quickly pulled from the van on the gurney and Krycek followed, eyes scrutinizing the surroundings but he never let the gurney out of his line of sight.

Down a hall, they arrived to a small surgical bay. Two morphs, one hunter and one scientist, met them at the door, barring his way as the others pushed Mulder into the room.

^You are needed for debriefing. Follow me. ^

Krycek sneered at Jackson as the other man entered the surgical bay after the smaller morph, but then nodded and followed the hunter down the hall to what appeared to be a large empty office. It was dimly lit, shadows swallowed most of the room except for a few chairs, a desk and a lamp. The hunter gestured for him to sit. As he did so, the hunter loomed over him, behind him, Alex saw another hunter step from the shadows.

^Now, you will tell us how you failed your mission, agent 319.^

Alex glared, "I was not informed of the hybrid's expectations. I was not left with the necessary memories to complete the mission. However, I did 'not' fail. The hybrid was easily taken because of my work. I would have completed my mission if given more time. As it is, we have him now."

The hunters were not swayed by his argument, they shifted slightly and moved closer, trapping him in the chair. ^We shall see. You will open your mind to us and prove your loyalty to the cause.^

An hour later the hunters exited the office and strode down the hall back to the surgical bay. Alex was slumped in the chair covered in sweat and tears. He lifted his head slightly and glanced at the door. He and Mulder were running out of time.

XXX

Scully arrived with the Lone Gunmen and Agent Doggett. The gunmen lugged a large amount of equipment with them, their faces grim. Doggett looked irritated but anxious as he noticed Kat sleeping on the couch, dried tear tracks glistening in the dim light. "Is that Mulder's daughter?" he asked quietly. Skinner nodded and remembered that Doggett's file had mentioned a dead son.

"Yes, she was upset. I told her she could sleep out here for now." He decided not to mention that it was also Alex's daughter. He had no idea how much the man knew. How much had Scully shared with him?

Scully glanced sadly at Kat's form, but when she spoke she was all business. "Has there been any word?"

Skinner bit his tongue to keep from snapping at her presumed authority, it was best to keep the peace right now. "No, Agent Scully. Krycek told me he'd be in touch, but it's been 8 hours."

Scully pursed her lips and nodded, the gunmen were busily setting up their laptops and running wires and other gizmos. Scully headed to the kitchen, glancing back at Skinner as she did so. Following her into the kitchen, he noticed Doggett follow them in silently.

"Mulder talked to me on the phone about an hour and a half before the...incident. He told me that Alex had exhibited trauma and amnesia. He didn't remember anything from the time of their abductions or the last five years. But, Mulder felt he was making some progress in helping Alex and that he hoped to make a breakthrough tonight."

Skinner shook his head, furious. "Why didn't he inform you earlier? How could he do something so dangerous, so pig headed?"

Scully smiled sadly. "He wouldn't be Mulder otherwise. He wanted to do it alone. He felt our presence would delay the healing process. Anyway, we don't know whether or not Alex has all of his memories. You say he pretended to kill you and that he was going along with the morph to save Mulder. He called him Fox?"

Nodding reluctantly, Skinner repeated the tale to her. "But why wouldn't he have worked with me to stop them from taking Mulder?"

Scully sighed and leaned back against the counter, her arms folded across her chest. "Well, you said that you saw at least one morph. They are very difficult to kill, you can't kill them with a gun. My hope is that it was necessary. To keep Mulder alive and to help the others that are missing."

Doggett stepped a little closer to the two of them. He looked extremely skeptical at the mention of aliens, but his face took on a look of concern at the last bit of Scully's reasoning. "The others? You mean the missing persons cases? Around the time that Krycek left?"

Scully glanced at him, "Yes, but also the patients that disappeared from the medical clinics. I believe they may have been abductees that were experimented on. Like Mulder. If they took Mulder to the same place as them and if Alex can contact us. We may be able to help them."

Skinner sighed and rubbed his forehead. "That's hinging our hopes on a man that has repeatedly proven he's untrustworthy. For all we know - "

"We know that he loves Kat. He protected her. He could have easily taken her as well, but he told 'you' to go and save her. He loves his family. We have to trust him to make the right decision and to have a plan. We have no other choice."

Skinner and Doggett's eyes met over the petite redhead, they agreed that they had no choice. For now.

XXX

Krycek struggled to his feet. His head throbbed painfully and his balance was shot.

The room swam before his eyes as he tried to walk to the door, stumbling several times and tripping over the chairs. He turned the doorknob with little hope, but was pleasantly surprised when it opened. He'd been sure the hunters had locked him in.

Poking his head out the door, he found the hallway empty. He took a deep breath and pushed himself off the door handle. He staggered down the hall with one arm out to balance himself against the wall next to him. He needed to find Mulder. But first...he needed to find a weapon.

He headed in the opposite direction of the way he'd come in, hoping to avoid the hunters that were most likely converging around the hybrid's arrival in the surgical bay. His heart tugged him to head in that direction, but his head knew that he had no chance against a morph without a proper weapon.

As he walked, his head began to clear somewhat, his balancing improving to the point that his hand only brushed along the wall for reassurance. A door appeared on the left and he crept up to it, peering through the glass. A series of beds with bodies in them could be made out through the thick frosted window. He watched for a few moments, but saw no movement. Quietly opening the door he saw that there was no guard, only the people lying in the row of beds.

There was no guard because there was no need.

Each body lay with a thin sheet over it, like a cadaver in the morgue. Pulling down one sheet he saw a young black man in his twenties, his hands were a mangled mess, bloody with bone shining through the wrists, a large hole in each wrist suggested that the boy had been pinned there. The wounds looked strange, though, the skin seemed to have grown over some of the worst damage, though it far from covered the damage. Healing. The body had been a hybrid most likely. Pulling the sheet further, Krycek noticed a long incision, completely unhealed, along the belly. It gaped open slightly, no one had bothered to sew or glue it back together. Alex didn't bother touching it, he had no desire to look within. He pulled the sheet back over the boy's head and moved to the foot of the bed, turning the sheet up to check the ankles, they were the same as the wrists.

Alex choked down a wave of nausea. Breathing through his mouth, he quickly checked four more bodies, all were men of varying ages and ethnic origins, but all had the same trauma. Turning away from the bodies, Krycek scanned the room, various metal implements were scattered on a counter top. Scrutinizing the mess, he picked up three sharply pointed tools and tucked them into his pants and jacket.

As he turned back to the door, he noticed a row of glass bubble-like containers. He reluctantly stepped closer to look into one. It was filled with a light green fluid, clearly noticeable within was a small body. It looked human except for an elongated head, arms and legs. The torso was far too tiny for it, and the eyes were tiny slits, almost nonexistent.

Glancing at the other containers he saw they each held a tiny body, but they all looked different. Most looked far worse than the first one, some had no arms or legs, some had enormous limbs, but no torso. The last container was too dark to see immediately, stepping closer, Alex peered into the container. The fluid was a darker shade of green, but he was able to make out a shape... It was the last straw, Alex rushed over to a trash can in the corner and heaved. The last body hadn't seemed like a body at all...it almost looked like it was inside out. Trembling over the trash can, Alex struggled to calm himself. Checking his shields, he was relieved to find them firmly in place. He wiped his mouth once more and glanced up noticing a small mirror on the wall.

Walking over to it, he saw a stranger. A pale sweaty man with greasy looking dark brown hair and a gray complexion. His eyes looked back at him, dark and murderous. He sneered at his own reflection before jerking the sleeve of his jacket up, revealing a jagged cut, a hint of metal shining through. He'd sent the homing signal out that had brought the rebels to their home. He'd betrayed his own family in the name of the resistance. For an alien race that had once promised to help Earth's inhabitants rid themselves of the colonists. He'd thought they were against the hybridization experiments because they cared about other races. Instead, they were continuing the work themselves. Each one of those bodies was a failed attempt to reproduce.

He walked over to the counter of tools once more, searching for a moment he found a sharp scalpel. Removing the embedded object in his arm, he dropped the bloody cylinder on the floor, crushing it with his boot heel. He tucked the scalpel in his pocket and turned back to the door.

It was time to find Mulder.

XXX

"Uhnnh..." Mulder's throat burned as he swallowed painfully and tried to speak. Why couldn't he see? He tried to touch his eyes to see what was wrong but his arm wouldn't move. Both arms remained numb and unresponsive. He struggled to open his eyes again. They seemed glued shut, but slowly, ever so slowly, they cracked open and he sluggishly opened his eyes only to snap them shut again.

White. A blinding white light directly aimed at his eyes. He winced and tried to call out again. "Unh...Aaalex." His voice came out as a cracked groan. He hated how pathetic sounded, but he couldn't help it. His body hurt all over. Where was he? His bed wasn't this hard. He tried to shift and a white hot bolt of pain down his spine drew a startled gasp from him. Strange cold hands touched his the bare skin of his hands and his eyes snapped open once more and he squinted against the light.

"Alex?! Alex!!"

XXX

Alex stumbled against the wall of the hallway outside the room he'd just exited. A loud 'shout' stabbed within his mind. ^Alex?! Alex!! Oh, god, Alex. Help me! Help! Morphs! The babies! Alex! Oh, god...oh, god...Please! ^

Mulder 'scream' turned into pleading before a sudden surge of hopelessness poured from Mulder to Krycek. ^Oh, god, Alex! How could you?! ^ Just as quickly as the link had burst open, it faded with a wave of despair from Mulder.

Alex clutched the wall and panted as if he'd been running. The sheer power of Mulder's broadcasting had stunned him. He hadn't been able to respond, only struggle to comprehend the words and emotions hitting him. It had only lasted a moment, but Mulder had gone from confusion to sudden remembrance of Alex's betrayal and finally a loss of hope.

^Fox? ^ Alex attempted to quietly answer his lover, but the link was shut once more. Krycek didn't dare attempt to send again. He couldn't let the morphs know what he was planning. As much as it hurt to leave Mulder without hope, he forced himself to strengthen his shields. 'I'm coming, Fox. Don't give up.'

XXX

Hunter 44269 observed the scientists from his position against the wall of the surgical bay. The hybrid's ankles and wrists were restrained on the table in the center of the room. The large swell of the hybrid's body was exciting proof of the hybrid's fertility. The current children would of course need to be removed before the experiment could commence.

The hunter watched as the scientists probed the belly to ascertain the safest way to remove the unwanted specimens. Hunter 44269 considered the face of the hybrid. It was rather exotic compared to the previous hybrids. Almond shaped eyes and a distinct nose were balanced by lush lips. Definitely an interesting face, and the skin. It was smooth and pale with fine brown hair in the usual places for a human. Morphs had no hair but that on their heads. The hunter noticed all of these things with approval. The hybrid was aesthetically pleasing and fully functional. Hunter 44269's eyes were drawn to the belly once more at this thought. As a scientist moved, the slit was visible to the hunter's gaze. He stared at the slit with growing excitement. All other hybrid failures had been attempted with implanted fetuses. No other hybrid had been advanced enough for natural conception.

As the hunter gave the hybrid another once over he decided that this one would be a natural conception. As soon as physically possible.

Turning on his heel, he went to record the latest developments for his superiors before the induced labor would commence.

XXX

Krycek was nearing the hall that lead to the surgical bay when a morph stepped out of a doorway and blocked his way. 'Oh, shit.' Alex pulled the scalpel out as quickly as he could, the morph blocked his attack and after a brief struggle, Alex was pinned against the wall.

Gritting his teeth, Alex focused on staying conscious, the blood pounding in his head as he was crushed against the wall unable to breathe.

"Alex Krycek?" Krycek squinted and realized that the morph had changed into a gray haired man with a normal face.

Not receiving a reply, the morph suddenly realized his error and eased his hold on the human.

"Ugh. Who wants to know?" Krycek wheezed, glaring at the morph. He slid a hand ever so slowly behind his back...towards another weapon.

"Cease your movement. I have no reason to harm you further. My name is Joshua Smith. Does this sound familiar to you?"

Alex recognized the healer, one of the morphs that were dedicated to the healing arts of his race. Mulder had trusted the one he'd known, Jeremiah Smith. To an extent.

Krycek eyed him wearily. "Yes. You're a healer. Hunted by the bounty hunters. Or so I thought."

Smith nodded and glanced around anxiously before morphing once more into a standard morph face. His stature was that of the smaller morph scientists. He gestured to the door he had emerged from. Alex obeyed, fingers itching to pull a weapon.

XXX

Hunter 44269 stared down at the hybrid once more. He had been alerted by the scientists when the hybrid had awoken, mentally screaming for his mate. Agent 319 had not responded to the call and the hybrid had sunk into despair, his eyes staring listlessly at the ceiling despite the harsh lighting.

The hunter leaned closely and the hybrid's large hazel eyes flickered to his face. ^Agent 319 has preformed his necessary function. He will not be joining you. We will now be removing the unwanted specimens before we begin our work. It is not necessary that you cooperate, but I can make it far more bearable for you...perhaps even...pleasurable, if you comply. ^

The hybrid stared at him without a glimmer of emotion or comprehension. Reaching into its mind, the hunter searched for the hybrid's thoughts. There was nothing but an endless cycle of words. 'How could he? How could he? How could he?'

The hunter straightened and stared for a moment into the now unfocused eyes. It didn't matter what the hybrid wanted anyway. Nodding to the scientists he stepped back as they surrounded the hybrid once more.

They were ready to begin...

The morph led him into another office, this one didn't even have chairs in it. Krycek wondered when the building had last been used.

Smith closed and locked the door before morphing back into his more human self. "Mr. Krycek, I wish to help you and Agent Mulder."

Alex raised an eyebrow at that. "You do? Mulder isn't an agent for the FBI anymore. And why should I trust you anyway?"

The alien smiled gently, "I don't believe you have a choice at the moment. You are in need of some help right now and I am offering it."

"Fine. You want to help? I need to contact someone for help." Krycek glanced around the empty room again, he hadn't seen any phones in the building yet.

Smith nodded and pulled out a small cellular phone. "Will this do? It belonged to one of the human agents."

Grabbing the phone, Alex dialed his home phone number, keeping an eye on Smith and the door as he waited impatiently for the call to connect.

"Yes?" Skinner's voice was a curt bark into the phone, but to Alex it was a sweet sound at the moment.

"Skinner, gather whatever backup you have by now and head west, there is a medical facility 5 hours from the house, exit 23b. Bring the weapons you find in the floor of the main bedroom under the rug and the ones from the bedside table drawers."

"Krycek - " Skinner's voice was an irritated growl.

"If it's a threat you can save it, Wally. Mulder needs help 'now.'"

"We're on our way." Skinner hung up and Alex let out a relieved sigh.

"Your friends are coming?" Smith asked quietly.

"Yes. Now why don't you tell me why you are helping me. The short version."

X.X.X

Skinner drove as far above the speed limit as he dared with Scully in the passenger seat, her knuckles white as she gripped the rented truck's dashboard. Doggett had followed in Mulder's Jeep, but Skinner had lost track of him an hour ago. Too impatient to reach his destination, Skinner simply hoped the man would find the facility himself.

"What did he say about Mulder?"

Skinner glanced at her quickly and then back at the road. "Nothing. Just that he needed help 'now.'" Skinner gritted his teeth and pressed down on the accelerator harder.

X.X.X

Alex shifted from the ball of one foot to the other, his fingers caressed the handle of one of the medical implements in the pocket of his jacket as he listened to the morph.

"There are many of us who do not like what our race has become. We want the killing to stop. Now that the colonists are defeated, some of our own race has become twisted by our losses. Perhaps it was meant to be. Hybridization isn't the answer, and most morphs know this...believe this, but the hunters...the collaborators...they've begun to sway politics. They are gaining in power and unless we stop this mission of theirs...they may win. I'm not just doing this for humanity. I'm doing it to save my own race. We should die with honor...not turn into the very thing which we fought against."

Smith's face looked tired and sad, Alex wondered if the morphs that had lived on earth for many years had become somewhat human themselves. Most morphs he met had plastic like faces even when imitating another. But Smith's face was animated, detailed and far more emotional.

Should he trust Smith? It wasn't like he had a lot of choice in the matter, he was hardly in the position to deny help at this point. And also...Mulder had trusted Smith before. Maybe not this Smith, but this group of aliens. By Mulder's own X-File reports, the Smiths wanted to help mankind, they healed and tried to save hybrids where they could, and they had always been hunted by the bounty hunters. It fit. The question was, could Smith and the others defeat the hunters?

"You say that there are others. Where are they?" Alex watched him closely, but the alien seemed sincere.

"We healers are but a few, but there are two others nearby. I lost contact with them when I assumed the place of one of the scientists. They may have already infiltrated the mission. Mr. Krycek, we must move quickly, I do not believe we can wait for your friends."

Smith's words seemed prophetic, at that moment the bond opened and a wave of pain tore into Alex.

Crying out in pain, Krycek dropped to the floor on his knees, clutching his head. "Fox!"

Smith was hovering over him, but Alex couldn't hear him, his entire being was focused on the wave of pain coming from Mulder. Alex tried to contact his lover, but beyond the pain there was no sense of the man. There was only pain and then a sudden numbing. The link fell quiet and Alex was left gasping on the floor.

"Are you all right?" Smith raised a hand to his head and Krycek managed to find the strength to wave him off.

"Yes. But Fox isn't."

XXX

Hot band of pressure tightens and squeezes...hard. The body is wracked by the need to push.

PUSH.

The pressure eases slightly and the lungs begin to work overtime to pull in necessary oxygen. There is a sharp pain in the arm. Over before it has registered. The pain suddenly drops and leaves behind a numbness that is just as disturbing as the pain had been.

Numb. Eyes are open but they do not see. Shadows move and flicker, but do not register. Voices in his head whisper but make no sense.

A voice raises and 'shouts' amongst the dim voices. The words slip past him as he vaguely tries to follow.

^...not progressing...need to intervene...^

More voices raise and soon he can hear many voices overlapping, making it even harder to follow.

^Stop! Too much...^

^Cannot see where...^

^...normal?...Put it...^

^Finish. Remove...^

^...the healing...slow...^

The voices become too much and he shuts them out. Shuts out the pain that has returned. Shuts out the bright light that hurts his eyes. Shuts out the tiny voice that shouts 'to' him amongst the din of voices. Shuts out the painful thoughts that attempt to remind him of what is occurring.

Shuts it all out.

Silence.

XXX

By the time Alex made it to the doors of the surgical bay he'd killed ten human agents. A small part of him regretted killing human beings whom, like himself, had been 'reeducated' by the morphs to serve them. But that small voice was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer 'need' to get to Mulder. Now.

Krycek put a hand out to push the doors of the surgery open when two hunters and a small band of human agents appeared from the neighboring room.

^Halt! Agent 319, you will cease your actions immediately and submit to reconditioning-^

"Reconditioning?! Is that what you call it? I call it brainwashing and forcing me to betray my own species!" Krycek flicked his eyes to the humans behind the commanding aliens. Two of the men in the group glanced at one another with unease.

^You will cease or you will be terminated.^ The hunters were glancing around the hall, looking for any other threats.

Alex carefully kept his eyes away from the door where Smith had last disappeared. He sought out the eyes of the two men that had shown a spark of rebellion. "What about the rest of you? What about your families? These bastards are planning to use 'us' as incubators just like the colonists were! They're using our own bodies to spawn...isn't that what we have been fighting against? They have my family in there! Are you going to let them do this to yours?"

Alex was unprepared for the sudden reaction from the group. Four men suddenly leaped on the aliens from behind, trying to knock them to the ground. The rest of the group stared stunned at their comrades sudden mutiny but didn't move to stop them. Alex wasted no time, pulling out a scalpel, he plunged it into the first of the hunters that reached the ground. The second alien took longer to subdue but was finally dispatched. Breathing hard, Krycek and the four men turned to look at the unmoving group before them.

"The rest of you should either help us or leave. Anyone that hinders us will answer for betraying their own species..."

One by one the group moved to stand with Krycek. Only two men remained unwilling to join and they quickly left the building.

Alex turned back to the doors once more. Before he could take one step forward, a large blast of energy slammed into the men, lifting them off their feet. Alex suddenly felt his body slam into a wall before he lost consciousness.

XXX

The blast removed the immediate threat from the mutiny outside the surgery. Hunter 44269 watched his monitors for any further movement. None of the human bodies stirred and the hall was once again quiet. Two hours passed as the scientists finished the hybrid's delivery and morph decided to observe the hybrid up close once more as the results of the delivery were taken to another room.

The hunter watched as the hybrid slowly began to heal. The delivery had not gone smoothly, a great deal of blood soiled the room but the hybrid was now free of the unwanted pregnancy. The hunter was impatient about the time it would take before the hybrid might be ready for a new conception.

He noticed the two scientists return from storing the hybrid's children in the next room with disinterested eyes. Turning back to his fascinating view of the hybrid he was vaguely surprised when one of the scientists approached him. Annoyed by the intrusion, he almost demanded privacy before he decided to satisfy his curiosity. ^The hybrid...when will it be ready for conception once more? ^

^Unknown. The healing is incomplete and further tests will be needed.^

The scientist's inability to answer angered the hunter. What use were scientists if they did not have all the answers? ^Are the humans in the corridor dead?^

^Not all. Some survived the shock wave.^

^That is unfortunate. You will take the rest of your team and terminate the survivors after the hybrid is stable.^

The scientist did not obey immediately. The hunter finally turned to look at the scientist, his anger rising at the audacity of the lower ranking morph. ^Did you hear me?^

The scientist faced him but its face suddenly morphed... ^I heard you...^ A sharp pain in the back of his neck was the last that the hunter ever felt again.

XXX

Skinner entered the deserted building cautiously, gun raised before him. Scully covered his back as they stalked down the dark hallway.

"Which way?" Skinner whispered, his eyes trained on the hallway before him.

Scully peered over his shoulder and noticed a sign. "Surgery's ahead...let's check it out first."

They came to a bend in the hallway and Skinner stopped suddenly in his tracks. Scully bumped into his broad back with a muffled 'oof!' She stepped to the side and saw what had made him stop.

Before them lay several men scattered about the hallway. Puddles of liquid and smeared substances could barely be seen in the darkness. Scully pulled her flashlight and revealed that most of the puddles were red blood but there were also a few smears of green along the floor.

The flashlight's beam swept over the horrifying sight until it landed on a familiar looking form.

"Alex!" Scully shoved past Skinner's unmoving bulk and knelt next to the young man that lay crumpled against the wall before the surgical bay's doors.

Alex groaned at the touch of Scully's cool fingers at his neck.

"Alex? It's Scully, are you okay?"

Skinner started as the lights suddenly flicked on, bathing the hallway in a harsh light.

"...Mulder..." Alex's eyes fluttered and he focused on Scully with some difficulty. Recognizing her his eyes widened and he suddenly surged forward. "Fox! He needs me!"

Scully scrambled to help him to his feet and the two of them stumbled over to the doors. Skinner pulled a stray body out of their way before they could trip over it. The body was stiff and cold. Dead.

He looked up and saw Scully and Krycek had reached the doors and were pushing them open. Hearing a thump down the hall, he let the two of them enter the surgical area while he went to investigate. "Scully" Skinner kept his voice low, Scully turned to look at him but Alex was intent on the doors before them. "I'm going to check the next room, keep an eye on Krycek." Scully nodded and watched him walk down the hall cautiously for a moment, watching his back.

XXX

Alex ignored the other two as he shoved the doors open and found a nightmare inside. Dark red blood painted the floor and table. It dripped down the foot of the table to a large puddle beneath. Mulder lay strapped down with metal restraints. Alex let out a choked cry at the sight and rushed to his lover's side.

"Lisa?! Baby, can you hear me?! I'm here..." he stroked the hair off Fox's forehead and noticed his lover's eyes were open, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Lisa?" he leaned down and whispered near his ear. Mulder didn't move; his eyes were unblinking. Alex stroked his arm reassuringly and when he reached the wrist and felt metal as he angrily turned his attention to the restraint. How was he going to get it off?

Suddenly, as if in answer, Mulder pulled hard, his hand stretching and wrist narrowing as he jerked it through the restraint. Once free, his arm went slack and fell back to nearly the same position it had been in before. Alex's gaze jerked up to his lover's face. "Fox?" No response, Mulder's eyes remained fixed on a point only he could see.

"Is he all right?!" Scully came in behind him. Alex glanced up, but quickly turned his attention to his lover's face once more. There was still no response.

"I don't know, he won't talk to me or look at me...but he pulled his hand out from the restraint. He hasn't moved since. Fox? Scully's here. We're here, Lisa, please talk to me!"

No response. Scully turned his face towards hers and looked into his eyes, shielding and unshielding his eyes from the light. "Pupils are responsive." She scraped a nail on his arm. "No response to stimulus. I think he's catatonic, we need tests to be sure, though. Where are the babies?" She turned her attention to Fox's stomach. It was smooth, except for the closed slit. There was blood smeared all across his torso, leading to the large pools of blood.

Alex felt a sickened wave of fear, his horror at the sight of Fox had blinded him to the obvious. "God, I don't know! Fox! Where are the babies? Oh, god, what did they do to them?!" Alex was growling low and dangerous.

As if in answer, a loud wail rose nearby, followed immediately by another in unison. Skinner appeared in the door way, "Come quick!"

Alex started but stopped and stared at his lover. Scully saw his dilemma, "Go, Alex. I'll stay with him."

He didn't acknowledge her, he just ran. Racing into the hall he followed Skinner's brisk stride to another room. Pushing past the other man, Alex ran into the room where his two sons were wailing. They lay in glass enclosures, with lids opened. He hurried to the first one and picked up his naked, squirming son. "Shh...it's okay, Daddy's here." Alex reached over in the next one and laid a hand on the other's chest, stroking it softly, trying to ease their distress. Skinner came up behind him, holding out a clean cloth. Alex wrapped the first boy in it and was surprised when Skinner offered him another cloth and held out his other hand for the boy. Hesitating, he gave the first baby over and then reached in and pulled the other one out. Bundled up, their cries grew softer as they were securely held in human hands.

Alex felt tears of joy threatening before he pushed them down and walked out of the room. Returning to Fox's side he looked at his lover's face once more. "Fox? We found them. They're okay. Look." He held the baby in his arms to his lover's vacant face. Nothing.

Scully looked at him sadly, "I can't get a response. How are we going to get him out of here?" Alex handed her the baby. "Take him." Scully was surprised but easily accepted the baby, cradling him expertly and smiling despite the situation. The baby was smaller than Kat had been, but seemed healthy.

Hands free, Alex walked over to the pinned arm. ^Fox? I need you to help me get you out of the restraints. Move your arm and feet. ^

A moment went by and Alex held his breath. Then, slowly, Mulder's hand pulled down hard, hand lengthening as the other one had. It fell free and dropped onto the table. The left leg bent slightly as Mulder pulled his ankle through the restraint. As the right foot came free and plopped back down lifelessly. Alex stepped out in the hall. He noticed one man was breathing but didn't take the time to look closer. Pulling clothes off of one dead body with distaste, he glanced around the hall again. Skinner had followed him out into the hallway.

"What happened out here, Krycek?"

Tugging a mostly clean T-shirt off of the body Alex glared up at him. "I convinced the others to rebel against them. We were nearly at the doors when something...a bomb or energy blast slammed into us. Next thing I know you and Scully were here.

Returning to the room, Alex picked up first one leg and then the other, dressing Mulder in the dead man's clothes. ^Sorry, Lisa. Just until we get out of here... Lisa?^ There was no response. Alex avoided looking into the dead stare of his lover's eyes. He didn't have time to break down just now.

Left arm around Mulder's back, he pulled his lover's legs around and pulled him to his feet. "Can you walk, Lisa?" No response. Alex sighed and bent and hoisted Mulder over his arm in the fireman's carry. "Let's go." He ordered the others. Skinner started to protest that 'he' should carry Mulder instead when Scully gave him a sharp look, shutting him up. He and Scully carried the babies as they followed Alex out of the room.

Stepping over bodies, they hurried down the hallway towards the exit. Just as they neared the doors a shadow stepped before them. The hunter's face scowled at them for a second before morphing into the face of Smith. ^We have succeeded. The remaining hunters and scientists have been terminated. I and my colleagues will be leaving now.^

Alex watched the morph carefully but nodded, his arms tightening in their hold of his lover. "And?"

Smith smiled mildly. ^And we shall report the mission's complete failure. All of the failed hybrids and fetuses will be presented as evidence of the hunters' failure. There will be no further experiments or missions in all likelihood. This mission was a last ditch effort. A futile hope. You and your family will not be mentioned. My race will either solve our problem on our own or die.^

Alex nodded but found himself numb at the thought of the alien race dying.

Smith seemed to understand. He stepped aside from the doors and gestured for them to leave. ^Good luck, Mr. Krycek. I wish you and your family well.^ Smith turned to walk away.

"Wait! Fox isn't- You could heal him-?" Alex eased Mulder off of his shoulder and caught him before his lover could drop to the floor. Smith turned back and crouched next to Mulder's body. Holding a hand on Mulder's head, the morph closed his eyes for a second before opening them and standing up.

^There is no physical damage...he has healed. But his mind is damaged. I cannot heal it. Have patience...^ The morph didn't wait for a response, turning he walked briskly down the corridor and disappeared.

The three watched him go but were shocked out of their paralysis by one of the babies crying. "Alex...we should go." Scully put her hand on Alex's shoulder and he sighed.

Doggett pulled up just as they were leaving. Returning home, Alex kept his arms around a silent and unmoving Fox. ^We're going home, Lisa... Everything'll be fine...^

XXX

Two days later...

Alex sat on the bed with his son, Michael, in his arms. Ivan lay between him and Mulder sleeping soundly. Michael blinked sleepily at his father as Alex hummed a lullaby. Glancing over at his lover, Alex tried to ignore the despair that threatened to swallow him up every time he was reminded that Fox was unable to share such precious moments with him.

Mulder still lay in a catatonic state. Scully maintained that there was no way to predict how or when Mulder would regain true consciousness. She was also careful not to mention that he may 'not' ever awaken but Alex could read it in her eyes.

The bodies of the human rebel agents mysteriously disappeared by the time Skinner returned with back up from the local FBI office and police department. All mysterious green residue had been cleaned up and there was no sign of the hideous failed experiments or Mulder's own torture left behind. The Smiths had carefully erased all existence of any wrongdoing.

Also missing were the few men that may have survived the blast besides Krycek. Alex found this information the most disturbing but there was nothing he could do about it. The Smiths may have allowed Alex and his family to escape, but they were obviously not above 'cleaning' up any evidence of their mission. Alex wondered if they would have been allowed to escape at all if Mulder hadn't proven helpful in the past...perhaps his lover had saved them despite his current vegetative state.

Alex continued to watch his lover slowly breathe in and out. His eyes were closed. Not of his own accord but because Alex had closed them when he'd gone to bed the night before. Alex reached over and gently pried the eyes open again. They would remain open, only blinking occasionally until Alex closed them again. "Hey, Lisa. Look. Misha's got your nose. They both do... Think they'll grow into it like you did?" Alex held the baby up to Mulder's face. The eyes blinked once but they didn't focus and his expression remained unchanged - blank.

^Goddammit, Lisa! Look at your son!^

No response.

Alex let out a loud gusty sigh, waking Ivan who began to cry. "Shhh, Danny boy. Papa's sorry...just got a little upset. Nothing to cry over." Alex awkwardly set Michael down and picked up his other son. He'd taken to calling Ivan Danny. ^If you have a problem with that you have to tell me, Mulder. I'm going to keep calling him Danny. Danny boy. Maybe I'll even start singing 'Oh, Danny, boy' ^

Nothing. No laughter, no smile, nothing. ^Guess you could tell I was bluffing about the singing, hmm?^ Danny slowly quieted down and Alex leaned over to brush the bangs from Mulder's face. ^We're not going away, you know... You're home and you're safe. Anytime you're ready to come out of this we'll be waiting.^

Mulder didn't answer as Alex went back to humming. Skinner carefully balanced the heavy tray as he knocked quietly on the door. The faint murmuring he had heard before he had knocked stopped suddenly.

"Yeah?" A haggard voice asked.

"Lunch."

"All right, come in."

Skinner opened the door to the same sight he had seen for the last thirteen days. Alex sat in bed with one of the babies on his lap, half-empty bottle sitting on the bedside table.

Next to Alex lay Mulder, his face slack and unresponsive as his eyes stared up at the ceiling. The sight disturbed Skinner deeply. The once brash and irreverent man that once had so much energy and enthusiasm he practically bounced up and down on his feet when solving an X-File now lay like a vegetable, unknowing or caring of his fate.

Skinner set the tray down on its customary place on the bedside table and looked back at Mulder.

"Stop it" Alex growled softly but threateningly. The baby stirred but didn't wake; Skinner looked at Alex and saw barely checked fury.

"What?" Skinner frowned.

"That look. That god damned look you give him 'every' time. You're ready to cart him off to the nuthouse. He doesn't need your negativity."

"Alex. You're exhausted. Why don't you take a break, Scully and I-"

"I'm not going 'anywhere.' He needs me. And if you think I'm going to leave you alone with him... This isn't the first time you've tried to lock him up in a mental institution. But this 'is' the last time. Get. Out."

Skinner opened his mouth to let the son of a bitch have it when the baby in Alex's arms stirred and began to cry. Scully came in within seconds and held her hands out.

"I'll take him. Frohike's got Danny and I think Misha's probably ready for a change, aren't you?" she cooed to the wailing baby. Misha didn't stop crying, but the wails were a little less frantic. She gave both men a glare as she walked out the door.

Skinner followed her with one last glance at the men in bed. Alex was shakily lying back in the bed, one hand going to Mulder's shoulder. He shut the door and followed Scully down the stairs. As she began to change the diaper he turned to duck out the front door for a walk.

"We need to talk, Walter." He froze and turned back, crossing his arms defensively. "I heard what Alex said and he's right. You 'do' plan to admit him to a hospital, don't you?"

"I never said that. But the man is in need of psychiatric care, Agent Scully. You of all people should be able to see that. He hasn't talked or responded to anyone, not even to Alex...or the babies, or Kat. He's barely functioning at all and Alex is simply too close to see it. We owe it to Mulder to get him the proper care."

Scully finished fastening the new diaper and picked up the sniffling baby. She patted its back absently and turned to face him, frowning slightly.

"I happen to agree with Alex for now. He needs rest and time to recuperate...and above all he needs his family. He 'is' functioning on some level. He lets Alex feed him and help him to the bathroom. He walks as long as Alex holds onto him and he's gotten back some color in the last few days..."

Skinner frowned and shook his head. It wasn't enough. They hadn't had one glimpse of the man that he had been. The man needed professional care but the others were in denial.

Scully watched him closely and finally sighed, "I think Alex is right, you should go. Mulder needs our support and I won't have you ruining that by fighting us every step of the way. You may feel guilty for ignoring him and Kat all this time, but you can't make it up to him by throwing money at the problem and locking him up without his family."

Skinner opened his mouth to protest but Scully held her hand out. "I think you should say goodbye to Kat and go back to D.C. We'll keep you posted on how he and the babies are doing."

XXX

Alex lay with his head on Mulder's shoulder, his arms holding his lover tightly as he felt a shudder run through him. Skinner was just waiting for Alex to break...to leave the house or let his guard down and then BAM: Mulder would be swept up into a nursing home or the psych ward of some hospital.

'I can't let that happen...he's been through so much...and so much of it was my fault...What am I going to do?...Oh, god, Fox, I need you.'

A hand reached up and settled on the back of Alex's, a light touch but it stayed there. Alex jerked his head up and stared at it for a moment before searching Mulder's face.

^Lisa? Can you hear me? ^

But Mulder's face and mind was as unresponsive as before. This was the first time Mulder had touched him or even moved without prompting from Alex himself. Alex found his hopes rising, it wasn't much...but it was a start. Proof that Skinner was wrong. Mulder was still in there. His lover was still there and with a little time and hope...they'd be together again.

XXX

"You're leaving?"

Skinner glanced up from his suitcase and saw Kat standing in the door. She was clutching a doll as she stared at him with accusing eyes.

"Yes. I need to take care of some things in D.C., right now, but Aunt Dana is staying with you and your daddies and the babies." Skinner dropped the pair of pants he had been folding and sat down on the bed. Kat walked into the room but stopped several feet away from him. She clutched her doll tighter, twisting her fingers in its dress.

"But why can't 'you' stay?"

Skinner sighed and while he wished he could blame this on Alex he knew that both he and Scully were right, he wasn't capable of handling this situation. He couldn't stand to see Mulder like this, but even so...he felt horribly guilty for leaving Kat. "I have to go, Kat. But I promise to come back and visit soon, okay?"

Kat frowned but nodded and Skinner smiled at her. Standing, he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before returning to his packing.

XXX

Skinner tossed his bag in the trunk of the rental and walked to the driver's side. Glancing back at the house he saw a curtain fall back into place where Kat's room was.

Scully stepped out of the house, and waved.

"You'll call me if anything changes." It wasn't a question.

Scully smiled and nodded, "I'll call you 'when' something changes. Take care, Walter."

XXX

Frohike hummed as he flipped the last pancake over. Cinnamon-apple pancakes made the kitchen fragrant, but it was the crisp bacon that really had his mouth watering.

"Oh my god... Tell me that's all for me!" Scully leaned over the counter and sniffed hopefully in the air. Frohike's heart skipped a beat at the sight. Would he 'ever' stop falling for the woman?

"Enough for everybody. Alex already has his and Mulder's. He said that Mulder really liked pancakes..."

Scully sighed at the mention of Mulder but nodded wistfully. "Yep. He used to order them all the time when we'd stop for breakfast on cases out of town." She pulled out a plate and started eating a pancake. Her eyes closed with bliss. "But these are the best pancakes I've 'ever' had. Where'd you learn to make them?"

Frohike snuck another glance at her before turning off the burner and setting the last pancake on the plate. "My mother. She was quite a cook. Taught me everything she knew. Sit down, Red. You've been on your feet all night."

Scully didn't even protest the nickname, just sat down and took another bite, chewing slowly to savor it. He sat down across from her and plopped some bacon on her plate. Kat finally skipped in and Frohike handed her a plate of smaller pancakes he'd made just for her in the shape of rabbits.

"Ooh! They're too pretty to eat!" Kat squealed but then negated her own comment by picking one up and chomping off its head.

Scully watched with a smile and sipped at the coffee Frohike pushed towards her. The two adults ate in silence as Kat prattled on and told them stories. Once finished she ran upstairs to tell her papa about the breakfast.

Frohike dumped the dishes in the sink and started filling it with suds and hot water.

"Let me do that. You cooked." Scully pushed him gently aside and rolled up her sleeves. He stepped back but picked up a towel instead.

"I'll dry, then."

They worked quietly together for several minutes. "Melvin..." Frohike's brows rose at his first name but he stayed quiet. "...I was a little surprised that you stayed. Byers and Langly said that you guys were well behind your deadline for your work...not that we don't appreciate your help. But Alex and I can manage-"

Frohike put a glass away in the cupboard and shook his head. "Mulder's my best bud. He'd do it for me. And anyway, the guys can handle a few editions without me holding their hands...I've sent some articles in and I'm needed more here. You and Alex can manage just fine, I know, but you could use the help. Babies are full time jobs on their own...and Kat needs a baby sitter when you two are busy. I'm happy to do it."

Scully rinsed the last pan and turned off the water. "You're a good friend, Melvin. And Mulder's a good judge of character. All these years I didn't really see it until now..." Frohike squirmed slightly and knew he was blushing. He took the pan from her hands and wiped it dry. He wasn't sure what to say...his automatic reaction would only ruin the moment...

"You're just dying to make an innuendo, aren't you?" came a dry voice behind him.

He grinned and turned to face her. "You know me too well, Red. We were meant to be together. Wanna step upstairs for a moment?" he waggled a shaggy eyebrow at her.

She snorted and tossed a towel at him.

XXX

Alex gave a weary sigh as he turned off the light. Dead tired. No other way to describe it. Even with help, he was still taking care of two newborn babies, Kat, and Mulder. Scully was trying to get him to go out for brief walks, "Just get some air...get out of the house, Alex. You need to stay sane." Maybe so...but the very idea that something might happen while he was gone was enough to keep him rooted to the house.

"Goodnight, Fox" he pulled the covers up and curled up next to Mulder and fell into a deep sleep.

XX 2 Hours Later XX

"ALEX! AALLLEX!!!" Bolting out of his bed Alex stared at Mulder stunned. The other man was screaming on the top of his lungs, his eyes wide open staring at the ceiling. His body was taut; his muscles straining against unseen restraints, his arms and legs were spread out in the same way that they had found him on the metal table days ago. "ALEX!"

Alex opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't get any further as the babies began to scream in the next room. Scully came racing into the bedroom, Frohike poked his head in and left, presumably to take care of the children.

"What's going on?!" Scully went over to the bed and touched Mulder's forehead. He continued to scream for Alex who continued to stare at him in shock.

"Alex!" This time it was Scully, she kept a hand on Mulder, but tried to make eye contact with Alex. "Speak to him!"

Alex blinked, "Fox! Shhh, it's okay, Fox. You're safe..." he knelt back on the bed and stroked Fox's arm, he continued to strain against imaginary bonds.

^Lisa! ^

Mulder gasped and stopped screaming, his body trembled and then suddenly collapsed onto the bed, slack. He was panting from the exertion. "Alex..." it was a broken whisper.

^I'm here...^ Alex let out a sound that was half relieved chuckle and half sob. He pulled Mulder into his arms and began to rock, tears streaming down his face. ^Can you hear me?^

^Yes...^ Mulder's arms came around Alex's back and squeezed.

XXX

Mulder lay propped up on pillows in bed. On his chest, curled up, was Kat. Her hands were fisted in his shirt as she clung to him in her sleep. He looked up as Alex walked into the room with his arms full of the babies.

"I think they're ready to meet their daddy..." Mulder shifted up and Kat reluctantly moved off his chest but only moved as far as his side, both arms clutching her father still. Mulder gave her a kiss on the top of her head and then reached out for the babies.

"Oh, god...they're so small...so perfect." Mulder held them as tightly as he dared, feeling as if they'd be ripped from him at any moment. He looked up briefly at Alex whose eyes and nose were red from the earlier crying. He was beautiful. His entire family was a precious gift he'd thought he'd lost during those terrible dark days, trapped in his own mind.

"Um...which one's which?"

Alex chuckled and sat down at the foot of the bed and spent the next several hours telling Mulder everything he'd missed.

XXXXX Epilogue XXXXX

"Danny! Misha! Get your butts in here now!!" Mulder stood at the back door, one hand on his hip. The two boys resembled Alex more and more each day. Not only in looks, but in the sheer amount of mischievous trouble they got into everyday. Of course - Alex and Scully insisted that this trait was from 'him' but one glint of their green eyes and you just 'knew' they were Alex's boys.

"Aw, dad! We were playing spies! Larry and Tom wanted - "

"You can play with them later. Aunt Dana and Uncle Melvin are here."

Mulder shooed his two sons into the living room where everyone was waiting. Scully and Frohike - perhaps the oddest couple imaginable...after he and Alex, of course. But once you saw them together...he worshipped the ground she walked on...and she needed a little worshipping now and then. And if you saw the pride in Frohike's eyes when he walked into a room with Scully on his arm...

But it wasn't shallow. Frohike gave her the respect and kindness she deserved. He was an excellent cook and a great father. Their two adopted daughters, Melissa and Emily, were very happy. Frohike was a stay-at-home dad while Scully had decided to enter pediatrics. They were a happy family. Scully was as happy as Mulder could ever remember seeing her.

"Finally! We're starving! Let's go!" Both families were herded into minivans. It was the twin's 8th birthday party. As Alex herded Kat and the twins into the back, Mulder headed towards the driver's seat.

"Why do you always have to drive?" Alex asked as he shut the back door.

Mulder just grinned and hopped in. Alex shook his head and climbed into the front seat. The twins were annoying Kat in the back seat and she whined in her teenaged voice why she had to sit in the back seat with them.

Ah...family life...

Trust, love, and happiness, too...what more could anyone ask for?